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Foil Bearing Design Features

'First Generation' foil bearings are characterized by axially and circumferentially uniform elastic support elements.

Leaf Foil Bearing

Bump Foil Bearing

Side view of the Bump Foil

Notice that the bumps on this first generation foil bearing are uniformly spaced across and around the bearing.

'Second Generation' foil bearings have bump foils with with variable circumferential OR axial compliance characteristics. By exercising partial control of elastic support stiffness performancecan be improved over Generation I designs.

Circumferentially Compliant Bearing

Variable Pitch Foil Bearing

'Third Generation' foil bearings tailor the foil support in axial, circumferential AND radial directions to enhance performance even further.

3rd Generation Bump Foil from Bearing