Bearing assemblies and bearing apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, a first bearing assembly includes tilting pads and a first plurality of sliding superhard bearing elements secured to a first support ring. In an embodiment, a second bearing assembly includes a substantially continuous bearing element secured to a second support ring. In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus includes the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly, with the substantially continuous bearing element generally facing the tilting pads. At relatively low rotational speeds, the first plurality of superhard bearing elements supports at least a portion of a load exerted on the bearing assembly. At relatively high rotational speeds, the tilting pads support at least a majority of the load.

Bearing assemblies and bearing apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, a first bearing assembly includes tilting pads and a first plurality of sliding superhard bearing elements secured to a first support ring. In an embodiment, a second bearing assembly includes a substantially continuous bearing element secured to a second support ring. In an embodiment, a bearing apparatus includes the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly, with the substantially continuous bearing element generally facing the tilting pads. At relatively low rotational speeds, the first plurality of superhard bearing elements supports at least a portion of a load exerted on the bearing assembly. At relatively high rotational speeds, the tilting pads support at least a majority of the load.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to bearing assemblies configured to effectively provide heat dissipation for bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed about an axis. Each superhard bearing element of the plurality of superhard bearing elements has a superhard table including a superhard surface. The bearing assembly includes a support ring structure coupled to the plurality of superhard bearing elements. One or more of the superhard bearing elements includes a superhard table, which may improve heat transfer from such superhard bearing elements.

A fluid bearing for use in turbomachinery including at least one bearing pad configured to be arranged about a rotating member of the turbomachinery. Each bearing pad includes an internal cooling opening defined in the bearing pad and an internal channel network defined in the bearing pad with at least one channel node in fluid communication with the internal cooling opening and at least two passageways in fluid communication with and extending from the channel node through the bearing pad. At least one of the passageways extends to an exterior surface of the bearing pad to define at least one cooling discharge opening.

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to bearing apparatuses including a bearing assembly having a continuous superhard bearing element including a continuous superhard bearing surface and a tilting pad bearing assembly. The disclosed bearing apparatuses may be employed in pumps, turbines or other mechanical systems. In an embodiment, the bearing apparatus includes a first and second bearing assembly. The first bearing assembly includes a first support ring and a plurality of tilting pads. Each tilting pad is tilted and/or tiltably secured relative to the first support ring. The second bearing assembly includes a continuous superhard bearing element. The continuous superhard bearing element includes a continuous superhard bearing surface facing the plurality of tilting pads and exhibits a maximum lateral width greater than about 2 inches.

A bearing element is provided which has at least three individual annular segments which are each combined to form a homogeneous, inherently fixed bearing element. The individual annular segments each abut against at least two further annular segments and are interconnected by connecting means.

A bearing element is provided which has at least three individual annular segments which are each combined to form a homogeneous, inherently fixed bearing element. The individual annular segments each abut against at least two further annular segments and are interconnected by connecting means.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a rotary shaft supporting structure which is capable of supporting a rotary shaft for a longer period. This rotary shaft supporting structure, which supports a rotary shaft on which a thrust collar that protrudes outwards in the radial direction is formed, has: thrust bearings which face the thrust collar, and support, using support surfaces, the thrust collar surfaces that are orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotary shaft; and support mechanisms which support the thrust bearings in the axial direction from the surface side of support surfaces at the opposite side to the thrust collar. The sides of the support mechanisms that face the end surfaces of the thrust bearings are inclined in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the rotary shaft tilts.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a rotary shaft supporting structure which is capable of supporting a rotary shaft for a longer period. This rotary shaft supporting structure, which supports a rotary shaft on which a thrust collar that protrudes outwards in the radial direction is formed, has: thrust bearings which face the thrust collar, and support, using support surfaces, the thrust collar surfaces that are orthogonal to the axial direction of the rotary shaft; and support mechanisms which support the thrust bearings in the axial direction from the surface side of support surfaces at the opposite side to the thrust collar. The sides of the support mechanisms that face the end surfaces of the thrust bearings are inclined in the direction orthogonal to the direction in which the rotary shaft tilts.

A bearing pad and bearing are provided which can inhibit the bearing pad from being deformed without increasing the costs. In a bearing pad (2), a conduit that extends from a first opening (3a) formed in a high temperature zone (2H) on a sliding surface (2a) opposing to a supported surface (1a) towards the direction apart from the supported surface (1a) and that finally reaches a second opening (3d) is formed.