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.

Various embodiments relate to a bearing assembly including a support ring configured to reduce thermal warping under operational temperature conditions, a bearing apparatus that may utilize such a thrust-bearing assembly, and applications that incorporate the disclosed bearing apparatuses such as downhole motors in subterranean drilling systems, directional drilling systems, and many other apparatuses. In an embodiment, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of superhard bearing elements distributed circumferentially about an axis. The thrust-bearing assembly further includes a support ring having the plurality of superhard bearing elements mounted thereto. The support ring includes at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature configured to reduce a radial moment, compared to if the at least one thermal-warping-reducing feature were absent from the support ring, which is thermally induced in the support ring when the support ring and the plurality of superhard bearing elements are exposed to operational temperature conditions.

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.

A bearing pad for a tilting-pad bearing includes a first member having a bearing surface and a second member disposed on a back surface side of the first member. At least one of a back surface of the first member or a front surface of the second member facing the back surface of the first member has a recess for forming a cavity between the first member and the second member. Preferably, the bearing pad further includes a support member disposed on a back surface side of the second member and tiltably supporting the first member and the second member, and the recess is formed over at least a part of an installation range of the support member in a plan view of the bearing pad.

A thrust bearing includes two physically separate one-piece segments. At least one segment has a wedge-shaped surface serving as a sliding surface. An alternative thrust bearing includes precisely one segment of a one-piece design. The segment is interrupted along its course around an axis of rotation of the thrust bearing. The segment has a wedge-shaped surface serving as a sliding surface.

A pad for a tilting pad thrust bearing for supporting the shaft of a rotary machine includes a top surface, a leading edge extending in a radial direction and a trailing edge. The pad further includes a fluid channel arranged at the top surface, the fluid channel ending in the top surface, and the fluid channel forming a fluid communication between the leading edge of the pad and the top surface of the pad.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a bearing (100) for supporting a shaft (200) rotating around an axis A is provided. The bearing (100) comprises: a bearing housing (120); and a plurality of tilting pads (130), wherein each tilting pad is connected to the housing (120) via a flexible web support (135) and comprises a bearing surface (136) directed toward a shaft receiving space (125) configured for supporting a shaft. The bearing surface (136) of at least one tilting pad (130) of the plurality of tilting pads is provided with a plurality of lubricant feed openings (140). According to a further aspect, a method of operating a bearing (100) as well as a method of manufacturing a bearing (100) are provided.

A bearing configured to actively damp vibration of a shaft in a turbine. In one implementation, the bearing can include actuating members that move in a manner that changes properties of fluid, typically a thin film of lubricant, disposed in the bearing to facilitate rotation of the shaft. These changes effectively manipulate the stiffness and damping of the thin film according to a time periodicity that matches a parametric anti-resonance of the bearing. In turn, the resulting interaction of vibrating modes is favorable to damp vibration amplitudes at critical speeds.

A sliding mechanism excellent in seizure resistance is provided. A sliding mechanism including a lubricating oil interposed at a sliding surface between a DLC coating sliding member (A) and a sliding member (B), wherein the DLC coating sliding member (A) has a DLC film covered on a base material, and metal films in an island configuration are covered on a surface of the DLC film.

A bearing assembly of a rotor of a wind turbine, namely for mounting the rotor in a fixed housing, includes: a plurality of rotor-side axial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the rotor, rotate together with the rotor, and be supported against a sliding surface of the housing; a plurality of housing-side axial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the housing, be fixed together with the housing, and be supported against a first sliding surface of the rotor; and a plurality of housing-side radial slide bearing segments, each configured to: engage on the housing, be fixed together with the housing and be supported against a second sliding surface of the rotor.