No. 8,602,653 | Foil Thrust Bearing Application to High Speed Machining Center

A foil thrust bearing applicable to high speed machining and grinding machines for machining microscopic features. Top foil segments are circumferentially spaced relative to a rotating runner for engagement by the runner when the bearing is mounted to bearing support runner rotation. Bump foil segments underlie and support and engage the top foil segments respectively. A thrust plate supports and engages the bump foil segments. Each top foil segment and each bump foil segment is secured only along an edge portion which is trailing relative to the runner rotation leaving an edge which is leading relative to runner rotation and a pair of side edges unsecured. Each bump foil segment includes tabs separated by slots extending from the leading edge at least partially to the secured edge portion. Each bump foil tab has substantially parallel ridges separated by flats.