A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The first member includes a first bore and a shaft positioned within the first bore and including an end surface. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a second bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the second bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

The invention relates to a bearing device comprising a first surface and a second surface which are moveable relative to one another, wherein the first and second surfaces are separated by a bearing gap filled with a lubricant, which is a magnetorheological or electrorheological liquid, or a lubricant having a temperature dependent viscosity, or a lubricant having a controllable slip velocity. The bearing device further comprising one or more supply inlets in the first or second surface, and one or more activators embedded in the first surface or second surface and configured to locally increase a viscosity or decrease the slip velocity of the lubricant in at least one obstruction zone, thereby inhibiting a flow of the lubricant in the obstruction zone.

An integrated system for precision actuation and support for large mobile structures, such as large telescopes, wherein an actuation is integrated on the basis of linear motors located in each of the frames that support the mobile structure on another fixed structure, the support of said frames on the fixed structure being carried out by means of hydrostatic feet. The connection between this frame and the driving structure is made via a flexible kinematic connection that permits relative movements between both (frame and structure), such that the mechanism is only affected in its operation through the small-scale deformations of the track via which it circulates, and not through the large-scale deformations of the structure.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, positioning a rotating shaft within a machine via an externally-pressured gas bearing system.

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The first member includes a first bore and a shaft positioned within the first bore and including an end surface. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a second bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the second bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

A hydrodynamic bearing assembly includes a first member including a first engaging surface. The first member is stationary in a non-operating mode of the bearing assembly and rotates about an axis in an operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly also includes a second member including a bore and a second engaging surface positioned adjacent the first engaging surface. The second member is stationary in both the non-operating mode and the operational mode of the bearing assembly. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly further includes a spacer member positioned within the bore and is configured to engage the first member to define a first gap between the first engaging surface and the second engaging surface in the non-operational mode.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, positioning a rotating shaft within a machine via an externally-pressured gas bearing system.

An integrated system for precision actuation and support for large mobile structures, such as large telescopes, wherein an actuation is integrated on the basis of linear motors located in each a the frames that support the mobile structure on another fixed structure, the support of said frames on the fixed structure being carried out by means of hydrostatic feet. The connection between this flame and the driving structure is made via a flexible kinematic connection that permits relative movements between both (frame and structure), such that the mechanism is only affected in its operation through the small-scale deformations of the track via which it circulates, and not through the large-scale deformations of the structure.

A spindle unit includes a casing defining a spindle housing space, a spindle housed in the spindle housing space with a gap from an inner wall of the casing and has a first large-diameter part and a second large-diameter part separated from the first large-diameter part in the axial direction, a motor coupled to a base end part of the spindle, a high-pressure air source, and a valve between the air source and an air supply path. When the valve is opened to introduce high-pressure air into the gap and the motor is rotated and the rotation speed of the spindle becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined rotation speed, the controller closes the valve to interrupt supply of the high-pressure air into the gap and the spindle is rotatably supported by a dynamic pressure air bearing enclosed in the gap and is dragged by the spindle's rotation.