Appeal No. 1997-0287
Application 08/263,034
pressurized fluid to hydrostatic journal bearings 50, 51 and
thrust bearings 52, 53 as backup for magnetic journal
bearings 20, 21 and magnetic thrust bearings 22, 23 to support
the shaft temporarily. The source of the pressurized fluid
may be taken from the process fluid outlet duct 15 by the
fluid line 62 . The hydrostatic bearing system does not
1
provide a control passage between a high-pressure zone and a
low-pressure zone to control the axial displacement of the
rotor. Accordingly, the rejection of claims 5, 11, and 14-18
over Andres and New is reversed.
Andres and Swearingen '689 or Swearingen '768
Swearingen '689 and Swearingen '768, which are assigned
to the assignee of the present application and disclosed as
prior art (specification, page 2), disclose turbo machinery
having mechanisms for adjusting thrust loading in conjunction
with conventional thrust bearings. Swearingen '689 and '768
show a passage between high- and low-pressure zones, a control
valve in the passage, and a controller for controlling the
axial thrust by opening and closing the valve. Swearingen
'689 controls the valve based on sensing the pressure of oil
between the thrust bearing parts, which is a measure of axial
- 8 -
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007