Fluid film bearing for use in horizontal belt vacuum filters

An aircushion and fluid film bearing arrangement particularly suitable for supporting the undersurfaces of the outer edges of the transport belt in a horizontal belt vacuum filter is disclosed wherein the respective air box sections beneath the edges are fabricated into parallel members each exteriorly rectangular in form and having an air pressure chamber therein triangular in cross-section with its apex forming a longitudinal slot centrally disposed in the flat upper surface of the box, which slot communicates the air pressure admitted to the chamber to the upper surface of the box. Longitudinal sealing guides are upstandingly mounted on the upper edges of each air box and form fluid-pressure chambers above the flat upper surfaces in cooperation with the undersurface of the transport belt, which chambers contain the communicated air pressure and create a fluid cushion exerting evenly balanced supporting forces across the outer undersides of the belt. In addition, the sealing guides have flat upper surfaces above which fluid film air bearings are formed which restrict edge leakage of the air from the fluid cushion while preventing direct contact of the belt undersurface with any parts of the air boxes.