A bearing element includes an inner surface (54) configured to receive a cylindrical shaft (18). The inner surface (54) includes a smooth profile having a plurality of sections (502). Each section (502) having a taper portion (506) between a first arc-span point (512) and a second arc-span point (514), a constant-radius portion (508) between the second arc-span point (514) and a third arc-span point (516), and a transition portion (510) between the third arc-span point (516) and a fourth arc-span point (518). An inner-surface radius dimension (520) changes from an inner-diameter major dimension to an inner-diameter minor dimension at the taper portion (506) and back at the transition portion.

Disclosed herein is a sliding member having an alloy overlay layer that comes into sliding contact with a counterpart member thereof and has improved fatigue resistance. The sliding member comprises a base material layer and an alloy overlay layer formed on the base material layer, in which the alloy overlay layer has a soft metal phase made of tin and precipitated in a metallic matrix phase made of aluminum, and when an average aspect ratio of the soft metal phase is defined as A, and its standard deviation is defined as Aσ, A+Aσ is 3.0 or less. In this case, the soft metal phase has a shape close to a sphere without elongating in a certain direction.

A bearing support system includes a bearing disposed within a bearing housing. A bearing damper is disposed around the bearing and includes one or more knitted mesh pads. A compression ring is positioned to be movable relative to the bearing housing and to apply a compression to the bearing damper that results in a change in at least one of a length and a wall thickness of each knitted wire mesh pad and a corresponding change in the stiffness and bearing of the damper. The system supports rotation of a shaft and may include one or more sensors to measure vibrations in the shaft and a controller to control movement of the compression ring in response to the mechanical vibrations.

Bearing assemblies and methods of using bearings are provided in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a bearing ring is provided having a plurality of carrier components removably coupled therewith. Each carrier component may carry one or more bearing elements. Upon wearing of the bearing elements beyond a desired amount, the carrier components may be removed from the bearing ring and installed in a different bearing ring to place the mearing elements at their original bearing surface radius. In another embodiment, individual bearing elements may be radially adjustable relative to the bearing ring to define and redefine the radius of a radial bearing surface.

Systems and methods are described for a reciprocating mechanism. The system includes at least one axially translating y-axis component configured to reciprocate substantially along a y-axis with a reciprocating motion of a piston assembly relative to a base. The system also includes at least one x-axis component slidingly coupled via at least one bearing assembly to and translating with the at least one y-axis component along the y-axis. The at least one x-axis component is configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis relative to the at least one y-axis component, and includes an orbital output component and an orbital linking component disposed substantially concentric with the orbital output component. The system also includes a stationary output component rotatably attached to the base in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the x-axis and y-axis, and a stationary linking component rotatably attached to the base in a direction that is substantially concentric with the stationary output component.

Systems and methods are described for a reciprocating mechanism. The system includes at least one axially translating y-axis component configured to reciprocate substantially along a y-axis with a reciprocating motion of a piston assembly relative to a base. The system also includes at least one x-axis component slidingly coupled via at least one bearing assembly to and translating with the at least one y-axis component along the y-axis. The at least one x-axis component is configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis relative to the at least one y-axis component, and includes an orbital output component and an orbital linking component disposed substantially concentric with the orbital output component. The system also includes a stationary output component rotatably attached to the base in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the x-axis and y-axis, and a stationary linking component rotatably attached to the base in a direction that is substantially concentric with the stationary output component.

A gear pump that selectively directs lubrication to certain components within the pump. A system and method of retrofitting existing pumps to improve their longevity in the field. The system and method provides a clean, simple, efficient, and elegant improvement to current gear pump fuel delivery systems.

Provided is a sliding component capable of reducing the frictional resistance of a sliding surface entailing eccentric rotation. An annular sliding component has a sliding surface relatively sliding with eccentric rotation. A plurality of grooves open to a fluid space on the inner diameter side are circumferentially provided in the sliding surface. A side wall surface of the groove is configured by a wall surface continuous in a circular arc shape in a plan view.

Provided is a sliding component capable of reducing the frictional resistance of a sliding surface entailing eccentric rotation. An annular sliding component has a sliding surface relatively sliding with eccentric rotation. A plurality of grooves open to a fluid space on the inner diameter side are circumferentially provided in the sliding surface. A side wall surface of the groove is configured by a wall surface continuous in a circular arc shape in a plan view.

According to one embodiment, a sliding bearing unit includes a stationary shaft including a first radial bearing surface, a rotor, and a lubricant. The rotor includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The second cylinder includes a second radial bearing surface and is restricted in operation so that it does not rotate relative to the first cylinder. The lubricant, together with the first radial bearing surface and the second radial bearing surface, forms a dynamic pressure radial sliding bearing.