Compliant foil fluid film bearing with eddy current damper

The present invention relates to a fluid film bearing operating as an anti-vibration damper in a magnetic field that is concentrically oriented relative to a rotor and a stator in contact-free, relative rotation about a common longitudinal axis. The fluid film bearing of the invention may advantageously be integrated in electrodynamic and passive magnetic bearings in order to improve anti-vibration properties and to absorb loads, appearing as transient disturbances, in general, and to improve the start up operation of electrodynamic magnetic bearings, specifically. The present invention also relates to a method by which a rotor is rotationally journalled relative to a stator in a magnetic field, concentrically about a longitudinal axis. The invention relates to means and methods by which a rotor is rotationally journalled relative to a stator in a magnetic field provided concentrically about a longitudinal axis, coincident with the rotor and the stator axis such that an annular gap is formed between the rotor and the stator. A flexible, sheet metal foil of non-magnetic and electrically conductive material is arranged for insertion in the annular gap in relative rotation to the rotor. The foil is shaped for generating a fluid film in cooperation with the revolving periphery of the rotor, and effective to counteract oscillating rotation of said rotor due to the formation of eddy currents that are induced in the sheet metal foil upon displacement within the magnetic field.