(under subclass 91) Subject matter wherein fluid pressure is used to support an element wholly, or partially, balance the bearing, or resist the vertical, or horizontal thrust of a rotary element by interposing a layer that in operation eliminates contact between relatively rotating elements.
(1) Note. Fluid (i.e., liquid, or gas) support and lubrication both involve interposing a fluid between relatively moving members. In general, the difference between them is that lubrication merely minimizes contact between the members, whereas fluid support eliminates it altogether via a thicker layer of fluid. Almost all gas bearings, or hydrodynamic, or hydrostatic bearings, involve fluid support
(2) Note. If relatively moving elements can either rotate, or slide they are in these subclasses.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
322, for lubricating a bearing.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
100, Presses, 170, for roll type presses having a yieldable mounted roll and in which the yield force is transmitted by fluid pressure.
