Thrust bearing device and rotating electrical machine

Abstract

To provide a thrust bearing device that secures an oil film pressure and the strength of a sliding member by keeping an oil film temperature low in a simple structure without using an auxiliary machine.SOLUTION: In order to solve the problem, a stationary plate provided in a thrust bearing device according to a first embodiment comprises: a first inclined part formed from an upstream side end part in a radial direction of a sliding member; a second inclined part formed from a downstream side end part in the radial direction of the sliding member; oil collection holes provided at intervals from each other in the radial direction toward an axial lower side from the first inclined part; an oil collection communication hole communicating with the oil collection holes, and located on the axial lower side of the first inclined part; a connection pipe where one end communicates with the oil collection communication hole; an oil injection communication hole communicating with the other end of the connection pipe, and located on the axial lower side of the second inclined part; and oil injection holes communicating with the oil injection communication hole, and provided at intervals from each other in the radial direction toward the second inclined part from the oil injection communication hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a thrust bearing device and a rotating electrical machine.

Background Art

[0002] A thrust bearing device is installed, for example, in a vertical shaft type rotating electrical machine such as a water turbine generator or a pumped storage motor in which the axial direction of the rotating shaft is along the vertical direction, and is configured to support a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0003] Specifically, the thrust bearing device is provided in the internal space of the bearing device of the vertical shaft type rotating electrical machine. The bearing device is attached to the rotating shaft of the vertical shaft type rotating electrical machine via a thrust collar. A rotating plate is provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar, and an oil sump is provided so as to cover the lower part of the thrust collar. The internal space of this oil sump is filled with lubricating oil, and the thrust bearing device is provided at a position facing the lower surface of the rotating plate. This thrust bearing device includes a stationary plate facing the lower surface of the rotating plate. A plurality of these stationary plates are radially arranged around the rotating shaft and form a sliding surface with the rotating plate.

[0004] When the rotating plate rotates due to the rotation of the rotating shaft, the lubricating oil present in the gap between the stationary plate and the rotating plate is entrained to form an oil film. The gap between the stationary plate and the rotating plate is a narrow gap of about several tens of μm to several hundreds of μm. Along with the rotation of the rotating plate, the lubricating oil flows at a high speed of several tens of m / s in the rotation direction of the rotating plate in this gap. Therefore, an oil film pressure that resists the thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is generated in the oil film.

[0005] The lubricating oil that flows into the gap between the stationary plate and the rotating plate on the upstream side (hereinafter simply referred to as the upstream side) of the flow direction of the lubricating oil rises in temperature due to the friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. A part of the lubricating oil that flows out from the gap between the upstream stationary plate and the rotating plate hits the upstream side surface of another stationary plate on the downstream side (hereinafter simply referred to as the downstream side) of the flow direction of the lubricating oil and flows downward in the oil sump, where the temperature drops in the oil sump. Also, a part of the lubricating oil whose temperature has dropped in the oil sump flows into the gap between this downstream stationary plate and the rotating plate.

[0006] On the other hand, another part of the lubricating oil that flows out from the gap between the upstream stationary plate and the rotating plate directly flows into the gap between the downstream stationary plate and the rotating plate. Such lubricating oil that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate to the downstream stationary plate can cause the temperature of the oil film to rise. When the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, the viscosity of the oil film decreases, so that sufficient oil film pressure to resist the thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft does not occur, and there is a risk of inducing contact between the rotating plate and the stationary plate. Also, when the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, there is a risk of inducing a decrease in the material strength of the sliding member provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] As described above, some of the lubricating oil whose temperature has risen during the process of passing through the gap between the upstream stationary plate and the rotating plate directly flows into the gap between the downstream stationary plate and the rotating plate. Such lubricating oil that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate to the downstream stationary plate can cause the temperature of the oil film to rise. In particular, when a load greater than normal is applied to the thrust bearing device and the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, the viscosity of the oil film decreases, so that sufficient oil film pressure to resist the thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft is not generated, and there is a risk of inducing contact between the rotating plate and the stationary plate. In addition, when the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, there is a risk of inducing a decrease in the material strength of the sliding member provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate.

[0009] In view of such a background, a method of forcibly injecting low-temperature lubricating oil from between adjacent stationary plates toward the rotating plate, so-called direct lubrication method, has been proposed. In this direct lubrication method, since the oil film can be maintained at a low temperature, the risk of contact between the rotating plate and the stationary plate and the risk of a decrease in the material strength of the sliding member can be suppressed.

[0010] However, this direct lubrication method also has disadvantages such as the need for auxiliary equipment such as a pump for forcibly injecting lubricating oil and additional structures for injecting lubricating oil between the stationary plates.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a thrust bearing device and a rotating electric machine that maintain the oil film temperature at a low level with a simple structure without using auxiliary equipment and ensure the oil film pressure and the strength of the sliding member.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0012] To solve the above problems, the thrust bearing device according to the embodiment is provided inside an oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotation axis of a vertical shaft type rotating electric machine. The thrust bearing device is arranged axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar to receive a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotation axis. The thrust bearing device has a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis so that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other. The thrust bearing device further includes a plurality of elastic members, one end of each of which is connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump, and the other end of each of which is connected to the lower surface of the plurality of stationary plates. Each of the plurality of stationary plates has, over the radial direction of the sliding member, a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate, a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate, a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction and directed axially downward from the upper surface of the first inclined portion, an oil recovery communication hole communicating with the oil recovery holes and provided so as to be located axially below the first inclined portion, a connection pipe having one end communicating with the oil recovery communication hole and extending with the other end directed toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the same or adjacent stationary plates, an oil injection communication hole communicating with the connection pipe and provided so as to be located axially below the second inclined portion, and a plurality of oil injection holes communicating with the oil injection communication hole and provided at intervals in the radial direction and directed from the oil injection communication hole toward the second inclined portion.

[0013] In order to solve the above problems, the thrust bearing device according to the embodiment is provided inside an oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotating shaft of a vertical shaft type rotating electric machine. The thrust bearing device is arranged axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar for receiving a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing device has a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft so that the sliding member faces the lower surface of the rotating plate. A plurality of elastic members are provided, one end of each of which is connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump, and the other end of each of which is connected to the lower surface of the plurality of stationary plates. Each of the plurality of stationary plates includes a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate over the radial direction of the sliding member, a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate over the radial direction of the sliding member, a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction and directed axially downward from the upper surface of the first inclined portion, an oil recovery communication hole communicating with the oil recovery holes and provided along the circumferential direction from the side surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate so as to be located axially below the first inclined portion, and a connecting pipe having one end communicating with the oil recovery communication hole and the other end extending along the side surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate. A plurality of oil injection holes are provided at intervals in the radial direction on the upper surface of the other end of the connecting pipe. characterized by having

[0014] In order to solve the above problems, the thrust bearing device according to the embodiment is disposed inside an oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side about the rotation axis of a vertical shaft type rotating electric machine. The thrust bearing device is disposed axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar for receiving a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotation axis. The thrust bearing device has a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis such that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other. The thrust bearing device further includes a plurality of elastic members, one end of each of which is connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump, and the other end of each of which is connected to the lower surface of the plurality of stationary plates. Each of the plurality of stationary plates has a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the radial direction of the sliding member, a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the radial direction of the sliding member, a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion downward in the axial direction, an oil recovery communication hole provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate so as to communicate with the oil recovery hole and be located axially below the first inclined portion, a connection hole provided along the circumferential direction from the upstream or downstream side surface in the rotation direction of the stationary plate and communicating with one end of the oil recovery communication hole, an oil injection communication hole provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate so as to communicate with the other end of the connection hole and be located axially below the second inclined portion, a plurality of oil injection holes provided at intervals in the radial direction from the oil injection communication hole toward the second inclined portion, and a closing plug for closing an opening formed for forming the oil recovery communication hole, the connection hole, and the oil injection communication hole.

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the thrust bearing device according to the embodiment is disposed inside an oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotating shaft of a vertical shaft type rotating electric machine. The thrust bearing device is disposed axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar for receiving a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing device has a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotating shaft so that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other. A plurality of elastic members having one end connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump and the other end connected to the lower surfaces of the plurality of stationary plates. Each of the plurality of stationary plates is composed of an upper stationary plate portion having the sliding member and a lower stationary plate portion connected to the elastic member. In the upper stationary plate portion, a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the radial direction of the sliding member, a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the radial direction of the sliding member, a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion, and a plurality of oil injection holes provided at intervals in the radial direction downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the second inclined portion. In the lower stationary plate portion, when the upper stationary plate portion and the lower stationary plate portion are connected, one end communicates with the oil recovery hole, the other end communicates with the oil injection hole, and the lower stationary plate portion has a plurality of connection grooves provided at intervals in the radial direction with respect to the upper surface of the lower stationary plate portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, the thrust bearing device and the rotating electrical machine according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are examples of the embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Further, hereinafter, in order to more clearly show the differences between the embodiments of the present invention and the prior art, first, a conventional thrust bearing device will be described as a comparative example, and then, the thrust bearing device according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described. In this case, the same reference numerals or similar reference numerals may be given to the same parts or parts having the same functions, and the description thereof may be omitted. Also, there may be cases where the dimensional ratios in the drawings are different from the actual ratios, or where a part of the configuration is omitted from the drawings.

[0018] (First Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of the bearing device 1 including the thrust bearing device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the bearing device 1 including the thrust bearing device 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the left half of the illustration is omitted.

[0019] The bearing device 1 is a device that supports the rotating shaft 2 by receiving loads from, for example, a thrust collar 3 and a rotating plate 4 provided on the radially outer side of the rotating shaft 2 of a vertical shaft type water turbine generator or a pumped storage motor whose axial direction is along the vertical direction, and includes an oil sump 5, a guide bearing 6, and a thrust bearing device 100. Hereinafter, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 2 will be simply referred to as the axial direction, and the circumferential direction and the radial direction centered on the rotating shaft 2 will be simply referred to as the circumferential direction and the radial direction, respectively.

[0020] The thrust collar 3 is fixed coaxially with the rotating shaft 2, surrounds the radially outer side of the rotating shaft 2, and rotates together with the rotating shaft 2. Specifically, in the thrust collar 3, the portion located on the upper side in the axial direction (hereinafter referred to as the upper thrust collar portion 3a) is connected to the radially outer side of the rotating shaft 2, and the portion located on the lower side in the axial direction than this connecting portion in the thrust collar 3 (hereinafter referred to as the lower thrust collar portion 3b) is provided in a shape that surrounds the radially outer side of the rotating shaft 2 with a gap portion interposed therebetween.

[0021] The rotating plate 4 is provided in an annular shape on the lower surface in the axial direction of the thrust collar 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as the lower surface) so as to be coaxial with the rotating shaft 2, and rotates together with the thrust collar 3.

[0022] The oil sump 5 is provided so as to accommodate the lower part 3b of the thrust collar and the rotating plate 4, and is provided coaxially with the rotating shaft 2 so as to surround the outside in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 2. Specifically, the inner side wall 5a in the radial direction of the oil sump 5 is located outside the rotating shaft 2 in the radial direction and inside the lower part 3b of the thrust collar and the rotating plate 4 in the radial direction. The outer side wall 5b in the radial direction of the oil sump 5 is located outside the lower part 3b of the thrust collar and the rotating plate 4 in the radial direction. The bottom plate 5c of the oil sump 5 connects the lower ends in the axial direction of the side wall 5a and the side wall 5b on the lower side in the axial direction of the rotating plate 4. The cover plate 5d of the oil sump 5 is provided in a shape that protrudes radially inward from the upper end in the axial direction of the side wall 5b to cover the oil sump 5. Lubricating oil 7 is accommodated inside the oil sump 5.

[0023] The guide bearing 6 is provided inside the oil sump 5 in order to suppress the wobbling of the rotating shaft 2. Specifically, the guide bearing 6 protrudes radially inward from the inner wall of the side wall 5b of the oil sump 5, and is provided in a shape such that the inner surface in the radial direction faces the outer peripheral surface on the outer side in the radial direction of the lower part 3b of the thrust collar. A plurality of the guide bearings 6 are arranged in the circumferential direction and receive the radial load acting in the radial direction.

[0024] The thrust bearing device 100 is arranged below the rotating plate 4 in the axial direction inside the oil sump 5 in order to support the thrust load acting in the axial direction. The thrust bearing device 100 includes a support plate 8, an elastic member 9, and a stationary plate 110.

[0025] The support plate 8 is provided inside the oil sump 5 in order to receive the load from the stationary plate 110. Specifically, the support plate 8 is provided in an annular shape on the inner wall of the bottom plate 5c of the oil sump 5 so as to be located below the rotating plate 4 in the axial direction.

[0026] A plurality of elastic members 9 are provided on the upper surface in the axial direction of the support plate 8 (hereinafter simply referred to as the upper surface) in order to transmit the load from the stationary plate 110 to the support plate 8. For example, the elastic member 9 includes a coil spring, and the lower end of the coil spring in the axial direction is connected to the upper surface of the support plate 8 so that the coil spring can expand and contract in the axial direction. Note that the elastic member 9 is not limited to a coil spring, and can have degrees of freedom in the position and inclination of the stationary plate 110, and any member can be used as long as it can maintain an appropriate oil film shape and oil film pressure by elastic support even when a load fluctuation occurs. For example, it may be a leaf spring or a cushion such as a pneumatic one.

[0027] The stationary plate 110 is connected to the upper end in the axial direction of the elastic member 9 and is provided at a position facing the lower surface of the rotating plate 4. Specifically, the stationary plate 110 has a fan shape and is provided at intervals in the circumferential direction so as to face the lower surface of the rotating plate 4.

[0028] Next, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 110 in the thrust bearing device 100 and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described.

[0029] Here, in order to make the difference between the embodiment according to the present invention and the prior art clearer, after explaining the prior art as a comparative example, the embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

[0030] (Conventional stationary plate) Referring to FIG. 10, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 11 in the conventional thrust bearing device 10 and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 11 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In FIG. 10, only two of the plurality of stationary plates 11 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 11a and the downstream stationary plate 11b. Here, the upstream side / downstream side refers to the upstream side / downstream side of the flow direction of the lubricating oil 7 accompanying the rotation of the rotating plate 4. It should be noted that the rotation direction of the rotating plate 4 and the flow direction of the lubricating oil 7 are assumed to move from the left side to the right side in the vertical cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 10. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 11a and the downstream stationary plate 11b may be attached to only one of them for the sake of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0031] The stationary plate 11 has a film-like sliding member 12 on the entire upper surface thereof.

[0032] The sliding member 12 has a first inclined portion 12a on the upstream side, a second inclined portion 12b on the downstream side, and a planar effective sliding portion 12c connecting the first inclined portion 12a and the second inclined portion 12b. In the sliding member 12, the thickness of the effective sliding portion 12c is the largest, and the thicknesses of the upstream end of the first inclined portion 12a and the downstream end of the second inclined portion 12b are the smallest. Specifically, it is formed such that the thickness increases from the upstream end of the first inclined portion 12a toward the effective sliding portion 12c and decreases from the effective sliding portion 12c toward the downstream end of the second inclined portion 12b, and these are formed over the radial direction. The first inclined portion 12a / second inclined portion 12b is provided to facilitate the inflow / outflow of the lubricating oil into / from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 11.

[0033] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 11 is entrained, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotation direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0034] The lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 11a rises in temperature due to the friction caused by its viscosity before flowing out of this gap. The lubricating oil 7 shown in f21 that flows out of the gap between the upstream stationary plate and the rotating plate hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 11b and flows downward inside the oil sump 5, where its temperature drops. Also, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f22 whose temperature has dropped inside the lower part of the oil sump 5 flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 11b.

[0035] On the other hand, the lubricating oil shown in f23 that flows out of the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 11a flows directly from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 11a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 11b.

[0036] At this time, the directly flowing lubricating oil 7 as shown in f23 can cause the temperature of the oil film formed in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 11 to rise. In particular, when a load larger than normal is applied to the thrust bearing device 10 and the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, the viscosity of the oil film decreases, so that sufficient oil film pressure to resist the thrust load acting in the axial direction is not generated, and there is a risk of inducing contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 11. Also, when the temperature of the oil film rises excessively, there is a risk of inducing a decrease in the material strength of the sliding member 12 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 11.

[0037] (Stationary Plate of the First Embodiment) Using FIG. 2, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 110 in the thrust bearing device 100 of the first embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 110 in the thrust bearing device 100. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 110 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical sectional view of the stationary plate 110 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), only one of the plurality of stationary plates 110 is shown, and it is assumed that the lower side in this plan view is the radially inner side. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 110 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 110a and the downstream stationary plate 110b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical sectional view. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 110a and the downstream stationary plate 110b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0038] The stationary plate 110 further has an oil recovery hole 130a, an oil recovery communication hole 130b, an oil injection hole 140a, an oil injection communication hole 140b, and a connecting pipe 150, as compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0039] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil recovery holes 130a communicate with the oil recovery communication holes 130b, and holes are machined downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion 120a, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of the oil recovery holes 130a is four is shown as an example, but it is of course not limited to this.

[0040] Also, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory views of the oil recovery holes 130a. (a) is an enlarged view of the R region in FIG. 2, and (b) is an enlarged view of the S region in FIG. 2.

[0041] In FIG. 3, as shown in (a) and (b), it is also possible to machine a notch 130c in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery hole 130a. This notch 130c is preferably machined such that a step 130d is formed between the first inclined portion 130a and the surface of the notch 130c at the downstream end.

[0042] In FIG. 4, as shown in (a) and (b), it is also possible to machine a chamfered portion 130e in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery hole 130a.

[0043] Also, it is possible to machine the above-mentioned notch 130c and chamfered portion 130e in combination.

[0044] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil recovery communication hole 130b communicates with the oil recovery hole 130a and is provided by machining a hole along the radial direction from the inner side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a.

[0045] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil injection holes 140a communicate with the oil injection communication holes 140b, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction by machining holes downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the second inclined portion 120b. In (a), the case where the number of oil injection holes 140a is four is shown as an example, but it is needless to say that it is not limited to this.

[0046] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil injection communication holes 140b communicate with the oil injection holes 140a and are provided by machining holes along the radial direction from the inner side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the second inclined portion 120b.

[0047] As shown in (a), in one stationary plate 110, the connecting pipe 150 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b. Note that the material of the connecting pipe 150 may be a flexible material or a rigid material.

[0048] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 110 is entrained, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0049] (b) The graph shown above the cross-sectional view of the downstream stationary plate 110b indicates the oil film pressure along the flow direction of the lubricating oil 7. In the first inclined portion 120a and the effective sliding portion 120c, the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 110 becomes narrower toward the downstream side. In such a section, the lubricating oil 7 is pushed into this gap, resulting in a positive pressure as shown in the graph. On the other hand, in the second inclined portion 120b, the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 110 becomes wider toward the downstream side. In such a section, the lubricating oil 7 is released, resulting in a negative pressure as shown in the graph.

[0050] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a as shown by f21, hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 110b, and flows downward inside the oil sump 5. Also, as shown by f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 110b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0051] Another part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 110b as shown by f23.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, since the section of the first inclined portion 120a is at a positive pressure and the section of the second inclined portion 120b is at a negative pressure, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a, as shown by f30, flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a through the oil recovery hole 130a into the oil recovery communication hole 130b. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the oil recovery communication hole 130b flows, as shown by f31, from the oil recovery communication hole 130b through the connecting pipe 150 into the oil injection communication hole 140b. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the oil injection communication hole 140b flows, as shown by f32, from the oil injection communication hole 140b through the oil injection hole 140a and out into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b.

[0053] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a is relatively high in temperature because it rises in temperature due to friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f32 that has flowed in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flows out from the oil injection hole 140a is relatively low in temperature because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is cooled by the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f32. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f23, which has become relatively low in temperature, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a toward the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 110b.

[0054]

[0055] ​Also, when the chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 130a in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a is removed, thereby reducing the inlet loss of the flow path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling. Therefore, since the lubricating oil 7 easily flows into the oil recovery hole 130a, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f32 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flows out from the oil injection hole 140a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0056] As described above, according to the thrust bearing device 100 of the first embodiment, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flows out from the oil injection hole 140a cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen in the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 110a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate 110a to the downstream stationary plate 110b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, a sufficient oil film pressure against the thrust load acting in the axial direction is generated, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 110 can be suppressed. In addition, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 110 can be ensured. Furthermore, since the connecting pipe 150 is structured to be attached outside the stationary plate 110, the man-hours for machining can be reduced compared to the case where holes are machined inside the stationary plate to communicate between the communication holes.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b are provided by drilling holes along the radial direction from the inner side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b. The connection pipe 150 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b. This was described by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b may be provided by drilling holes along the radial direction from the outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b. The connection pipe 150 may be provided from the outer side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 110 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b. Needless to say, even in such a modified example, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained.

[0058] (Second Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 5, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 210 in the thrust bearing device 200 of the second embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 210 in the thrust bearing device 200. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 210 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 210 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 210 are shown, and it is assumed that the lower side in this plan view is the inner side in the radial direction. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 210 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 210a and the downstream stationary plate 210b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical cross-sectional view. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 210a and the downstream stationary plate 210b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0059] The stationary plate 210 further has an oil recovery hole 130a, an oil recovery communication hole 130b, an oil injection hole 140a, an oil injection communication hole 140b, and a connection pipe 250, when compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0060] As shown in (a), the connection pipe 250 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 210 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b of the downstream stationary plate 210b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b of the upstream stationary plate 210a in two adjacent stationary plates 210. Note that, for the material of the connection pipe 250, it is preferable to use a flexible material such as rubber or resin, for example.

[0061] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 210 is drawn in, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0062] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a and hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 210b and then flows downward inside the oil sump 5, as shown by f21. Also, as shown by f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 210b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0063] Another part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 210b, as shown by f23.

[0064] Furthermore, as described above, since the section of the first inclined portion 120a is under positive pressure and the section of the second inclined portion 120b is under negative pressure, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 210b flows, as shown by f40, from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a on the downstream stationary plate 210b side through the oil recovery hole 130a into the oil recovery communication hole 130b. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil recovery communication hole 130b flows, as shown by f41, from the oil recovery communication hole 130b through the connecting pipe 250 into the oil injection communication hole 140b. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil injection communication hole 140b flows, as shown by f42, from the oil injection communication hole 140b through the oil injection hole 140a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b on the upstream stationary plate 210a side.

[0065] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a is relatively high in temperature because it rises in temperature due to friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f42 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a on the downstream stationary plate 210b side and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a on the upstream stationary plate 210a side is relatively low in temperature because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is cooled by the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f42. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f23, which has become relatively low in temperature, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a toward the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 210b.

[0066] In addition, when the counterbore 130c as shown in FIG. 3 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 130a in the first inclined portion 120a, the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the counterbore 130c is blocked by the step 130d formed at the downstream end of the counterbore 130c, so that the positive pressure around the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a increases. Therefore, since the differential pressure between the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a and the opening of the oil injection hole 140a becomes even larger, the amount of the cooling lubricating oil 7 shown by f42 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0067] Further, when the chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 130a in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a is removed, so that the inlet loss of the flow path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling is reduced. Therefore, since the lubricating oil 7 easily flows into the oil recovery hole 130a, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f42 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0068] As described above, according to the thrust bearing device 200 of the second embodiment, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a on the downstream-side stationary plate 210b side and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a on the upstream-side stationary plate 210a side cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen in the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream-side stationary plate 210a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 flowing directly from the upstream-side stationary plate 210a to the downstream-side stationary plate 210b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, a sufficient oil film pressure against the thrust load acting in the axial direction is generated, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 210 can be suppressed. Further, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 210 can be ensured. Furthermore, since the connecting pipe 250 is structured to be attached to the outside of the stationary plate 210, the man-hours for machining can be reduced as compared with the case where holes are machined inside the stationary plate to communicate between the communication holes. Still further, in the case where the distance between two adjacent stationary plates 210 is shorter than the distance from the upstream end to the downstream end of one stationary plate 210, the length of the connecting pipe 250 can be kept short.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b are provided by machining holes along the radial direction from the inner side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 210 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b. The connection pipe 250 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 210 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b of the downstream stationary plate 210b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b of the upstream stationary plate 210a, and this structure was illustrated and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b may be provided by machining holes along the radial direction from the outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 210 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b. The connection pipe 250 may be provided from the outer side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 210 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 130b of the downstream stationary plate 210b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 140b of the upstream stationary plate 210a. Needless to say, even in such a modified example, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained.

[0070] (Third Embodiment) Using FIG. 6, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 310 in the thrust bearing device 300 of the third embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 310 in the thrust bearing device 300. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 310 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 310 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), only one of the plurality of stationary plates 310 is shown, and it is assumed that the lower side in this plan view is the inner side in the radial direction. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 310 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 310a and the downstream stationary plate 310b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical cross-sectional view. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 310a and the downstream stationary plate 310b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0071] The stationary plate 310 further has an oil recovery hole 330a, an oil recovery communication hole 330b, an oil injection hole 340a, an oil injection communication hole 340b, and a connecting pipe 350, when compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0072] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil recovery holes 330a communicate with the oil recovery communication holes 330b, and are formed by drilling holes downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion 120a, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of oil recovery holes 330a is four is shown as an example, but it is needless to say that the number is not limited to this.

[0073] Also, the zakuri 130c described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 330a, and the chamfered portion 130e described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 330a, or a combination of these may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 330a.

[0074] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil recovery communication holes 330b communicate with the oil recovery holes 330a, and are formed by drilling holes along the circumferential direction from the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of oil recovery communication holes 330b is four is shown as an example, but it is needless to say that the number is not limited to this.

[0075] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil injection holes 340a communicate with the oil injection communication holes 340b, and are formed by drilling holes downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the second inclined portion 120b, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of oil injection holes 340a is four is shown as an example, but it is needless to say that the number is not limited to this.

[0076] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil injection communication holes 340b communicate with the oil injection holes 340a and are provided in a plurality at intervals in the radial direction by machining holes along the circumferential direction from the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 110 so as to be located on the axially lower side of the second inclined portion 120b. In (a), the case where the number of the oil injection communication holes 340b is four is shown as an example, but it goes without saying that the number is not limited to this.

[0077] As shown in (a), the connecting pipe 350 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 310 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 340b in one stationary plate 310. Note that, as the material of the connecting pipe 350, a flexible material or a rigid material may be used.

[0078] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 310 is drawn in, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0079] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a and hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 310b, and then flows downward inside the oil sump 5 as shown by f21. Also, as shown by f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 310b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0080] Another part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 310b as shown by f23.

[0081] Furthermore, as described above, since the section of the first inclined portion 120a is under positive pressure and the section of the second inclined portion 120b is under negative pressure, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a flows, as shown in f50, from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a through the oil recovery hole 330a into the oil recovery communication hole 330b. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil recovery communication hole 330b flows, as shown in f51, from the oil recovery communication hole 330b through the connecting pipe 350 into the oil injection communication hole 340b. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil injection communication hole 340b flows, as shown in f52, from the oil injection communication hole 340b through the oil injection hole 340a and out into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b.

[0082] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a is relatively high in temperature because it rises in temperature due to friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f52 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 340a is relatively low in temperature because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is cooled by the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown in f52. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f23, which has become relatively low in temperature, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 310a toward the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 310b.

[0083] In addition, when the counterbore 130c as shown in FIG. 3 is machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a including the oil recovery hole 330a, the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the counterbore 130c is blocked by a step 130d formed at the downstream end of the counterbore 130c, so that the positive pressure around the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a increases. Therefore, since the differential pressure between the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a and the opening of the oil injection hole 340a becomes even larger, the amount of the cooling lubricating oil 7 shown in f52 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 340a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is more cooled.

[0084] Also, when the chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 330a in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a is removed, thereby reducing the inlet loss of the flow path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling. Therefore, since the lubricating oil 7 easily flows into the oil recovery hole 330a, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f52 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flows out from the oil injection hole 340a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is further cooled.

[0085] As described above, according to the thrust bearing device 300 of the third embodiment, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flows out from the oil injection hole 340a cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen in the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 210a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate 310a to the downstream stationary plate 310b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, a sufficient oil film pressure that resists the thrust load acting in the axial direction is generated, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 310 can be suppressed. Further, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 310 can be ensured. Furthermore, since the connecting pipe 350 is structured to be attached to the outside of the stationary plate 310, the man-hours of machining can be reduced as compared with the case where holes are machined inside the stationary plate to communicate between the communication holes. Moreover, the machining for forming the oil recovery communication hole 330b and the oil injection communication hole 340b as in the present embodiment requires less machining amount than the machining for forming the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and the man-hours of machining can be reduced.

[0086] In the third embodiment, the oil recovery communication hole 330b is provided by drilling a hole along the circumferential direction from the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 310 so as to be located on the axially lower side of the first inclined portion 120a, and the oil injection communication hole 340b is provided by drilling a hole along the circumferential direction from the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 310 so as to be located on the axially lower side of the second inclined portion 120b. In addition, the connection pipe 350 is provided from the radially inner side of the stationary plate 310 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 340b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The oil recovery communication hole 330b may be provided by drilling a hole along the circumferential direction from the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 310 so as to be located on the axially lower side of the first inclined portion 120a, and the oil injection communication hole 340b may be provided by drilling a hole along the circumferential direction from the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 310 so as to be located on the axially lower side of the second inclined portion 120b. In addition, the connection pipe 350 may be provided from the radially outer side of the stationary plate 310 such that one end communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b and the other end communicates with the oil injection communication hole 340b. Needless to say, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained even in such a modified example.

[0087] (Fourth Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 7, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 410 in the thrust bearing device 400 of the fourth embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 410 in the thrust bearing device 400. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 410 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 410 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), only one of the plurality of stationary plates 410 is shown, and the lower side in this plan view is assumed to be the radially inner side. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 410 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 410a and the downstream stationary plate 410b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical cross-sectional view. In addition, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 410a and the downstream stationary plate 410b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0088] The stationary plate 410 further has an oil recovery hole 330a, an oil recovery communication hole 330b, an oil injection hole 440a, and a connection pipe 450 when compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0089] As shown in (a) and (b), in one stationary plate 410, one end of the connection pipe 450 is located along the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 410 and communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b, and the other end is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 410 so as to be located along the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 410. An oil injection hole 440a is provided at the other end of the connection pipe 450 located along the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 410. Specifically, at the other end of the connection pipe 450 located along the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 410, a plurality of oil injection holes 440a are provided at intervals in the radial direction by machining holes downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the connection pipe 450. In (a), the case where the number of the oil injection holes 440a is four is shown as an example, but it is needless to say that it is not limited to this. Also, as the material of the connection pipe 450, a flexible material or a rigid material may be used.

[0090] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 410 is drawn in, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0091] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a as shown by f21, hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 410b, and flows downward inside the oil sump 5. Also, as shown by f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 410b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0092] Also, a part of the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 410b, as shown in f23.

[0093] Furthermore, as described above, the section of the first inclined portion 120a is under positive pressure. On the other hand, the oil sump 5 in which the oil injection hole 440a is open is approximately at atmospheric pressure. As a result, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a into the oil recovery communication hole 330b through the oil recovery hole 330a, as shown in f60. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the oil recovery communication hole 330b flows into the connecting pipe 450, as shown in f61. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the connecting pipe 450 flows out through the oil injection hole 440a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b, as shown in f62.

[0094] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a is relatively hot because its temperature rises due to friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f62 that has flowed in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flowed out from the oil injection hole 440a is relatively cold because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively hot lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is cooled by the relatively cold lubricating oil 7 shown in f62. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f23, which has become relatively cold, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 410b.

[0095] In addition, when the counterbore 130c as shown in FIG. 3 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 330a in the first inclined portion 120a, the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the counterbore 130c is blocked by a step 130d formed at the downstream end of the counterbore 130c, so that the positive pressure around the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a increases. Therefore, since the differential pressure between the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a and the opening of the oil injection hole 440a becomes larger, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f62 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 440a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0096] Also, when the chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 330a in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 330a is removed, so that the inlet loss of the flow path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling is reduced. Therefore, since the lubricating oil 7 easily flows into the oil recovery hole 330a, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f62 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 440a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0097] According to the thrust bearing device 400 of the fourth embodiment described above, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 330a and flows out from the oil injection hole 440a cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen during the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 410a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate 410a to the downstream stationary plate 410b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, sufficient oil film pressure is generated to resist the thrust load acting in the axial direction, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 410 can be suppressed. In addition, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 410 can be ensured. Furthermore, since the connecting pipe 450 is structured to be attached outside the stationary plate 410, the man-hours for machining can be reduced compared to the case where holes are machined inside the stationary plate to connect the communication holes. Moreover, the machining for forming the oil recovery communication hole 330b as in the present embodiment requires less machining volume compared to the machining for forming the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b as in the first and second embodiments, and the man-hours for machining can be reduced. Additionally, the machining for forming the oil injection hole 440a as in the present embodiment, compared to the case of machining the oil injection hole 340a on the surface of the second inclined portion 120b close to the rotating plate 4 as in the third embodiment, forms the oil injection hole 440a on the surface of the connecting pipe 450 that is somewhat separated from the rotating plate 4. Therefore, the required machining accuracy is reduced, and the man-hours for machining can be reduced.

[0098] In the fourth embodiment, the connection pipe 450 is provided from the inner side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 410 such that one end is located on the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 410 and communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b, and the other end is located on the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 410. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the connection pipe 450 may be provided from the outer side in the radial direction of the stationary plate 410 such that one end is located on the upstream side surface of the stationary plate 410 and communicates with the oil recovery communication hole 330b, and the other end is located on the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 410. Even in such a modified example, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained.

[0099] (Fifth Embodiment) Using FIG. 8, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 510 in the thrust bearing device 500 of the fifth embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 510 in the thrust bearing device 500. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 510 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 510 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), only one of the plurality of stationary plates 510 is shown, and it is assumed that the lower side in this plan view is the inner side in the radial direction. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 510 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 510a and the downstream stationary plate 510b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical cross-sectional view. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 510a and the downstream stationary plate 510b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common to both.

[0100] The stationary plate 510 further has an oil recovery hole 130a, an oil recovery communication hole 130b, an oil injection hole 140a, an oil injection communication hole 140b, a connection hole 550, and a closing plug 560 as compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0101] As shown in (a) and (b), the connection hole 550 communicates the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b, and is provided by machining a hole along the circumferential direction of the stationary plate 510 from the downstream side surface of the stationary plate 510.

[0102] As shown in (a) and (b), the closing plug 560 is provided at the opening formed when machining holes to form the oil recovery communication hole 130b, the oil injection communication hole 140b, and the connection hole 550, and closes this opening.

[0103] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 510 is drawn in, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0104] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a as shown by f21, hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 510b, and flows downward inside the oil sump 5. Also, as shown by f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 510b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0105] Another part of the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 510b as shown by f23.

[0106] Furthermore, as described above, since the section of the first inclined portion 120a is under positive pressure and the section of the second inclined portion 120b is under negative pressure, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a through the oil recovery hole 130a into the oil recovery communication hole 130b, as shown by f70. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil recovery communication hole 130b flows from the oil recovery communication hole 130b through the connection hole 550 into the oil injection communication hole 140b, as shown by f71. The lubricating oil 7 flowing into the oil injection communication hole 140b flows out from the oil injection communication hole 140b through the oil injection hole 140a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b, as shown by f72.

[0107] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 flowing into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a is relatively high in temperature because it rises in temperature due to friction caused by viscosity before flowing out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f72 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a is relatively low in temperature because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is cooled by the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f72. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown by f23, which has become relatively low in temperature, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a toward the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 510b.

[0108] In addition, when the counterbore 130c as shown in FIG. 3 is machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a including the oil recovery hole 130a, the lubricating oil 7 flowing into the counterbore 130c is blocked by the step 130d formed at the downstream end of the counterbore 130c, so that the positive pressure around the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a increases. Therefore, since the differential pressure between the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a and the opening of the oil injection hole 140a becomes even larger, the amount of the cooling lubricating oil 7 shown by f72 flowing in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flowing out from the oil injection hole 140a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0109] Also, when the chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 130a in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 130a is removed, thereby reducing the inlet loss of the flow path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling. Therefore, since the lubricating oil 7 easily flows into the oil recovery hole 130a, the amount of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling shown by f72 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flows out from the oil injection hole 140a increases, and the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 shown by f20 is more cooled.

[0110] As described above, according to the thrust bearing device 500 of the fifth embodiment, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 130a and flows out from the oil injection hole 140a cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen in the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 510a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate 510a to the downstream stationary plate 510b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, a sufficient oil film pressure that resists the thrust load acting in the axial direction is generated, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 510 can be suppressed. Further, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 510 can be ensured. Furthermore, since all of the paths of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling are provided inside the stationary plate 510, the number of parts can be reduced and the space can be saved.

[0111] In the fifth embodiment, the structure in which the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b are provided by machining holes along the radial direction from the inner side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 510 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b has been illustrated and described. However, the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b may be provided by machining holes along the radial direction from the outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate 510 so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion 120a and the second inclined portion 120b. Needless to say, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained by this structure.

[0112] In the fifth embodiment, the connection hole 550 is provided by machining a hole along the circumferential direction of the stationary plate 510 from the side surface on the downstream side of the stationary plate 510 so as to communicate the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b. However, the connection hole 550 may be provided by machining a hole along the circumferential direction of the stationary plate 510 from the side surface on the upstream side of the stationary plate 510 so as to communicate the oil recovery communication hole 130b and the oil injection communication hole 140b. Of course, the same operations and effects as described above can be obtained by this structure.

[0113] (Sixth Embodiment) Using FIG. 9, the detailed structure of the stationary plate 610 in the thrust bearing device 600 of the sixth embodiment and the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the stationary plate 610 in the thrust bearing device 600. (a) is a plan view of the stationary plate 610 when viewed from the P direction in FIG. 1, and (b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the stationary plate 610 when viewed from the Q direction in FIG. 1. In (a), only one of the plurality of stationary plates 610 is shown, and it is assumed that the lower side in this plan view is the radially inner side. In (b), two adjacent ones of the plurality of stationary plates 610 are shown as the upstream stationary plate 610a and the downstream stationary plate 610b, and it is assumed that the rotating plate 4 moves from left to right in this vertical cross-sectional view. Also, the reference numerals for the upstream stationary plate 610a and the downstream stationary plate 610b may be attached to only one of them for convenience of illustration, but they are common in both cases.

[0114] The stationary plate 610 is composed of a stationary plate upper portion 610c having a sliding member 120 and a stationary plate lower portion 610d connected to the elastic member 9. This stationary plate 610 further has an oil recovery hole 630, an oil injection hole 640, and a connection groove 650 when compared with the conventional stationary plate 10.

[0115] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil recovery holes 630 communicate with the connection groove 650 when the upper stationary plate 610c and the lower stationary plate 610d are connected at the upper part of the stationary plate 610c, and holes are drilled axially downward from the upper surface of the first inclined portion 120a. A plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of oil recovery holes 630 is four is shown as an example, but it is of course not limited to this.

[0116] Also, the burr 130c described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 630, and the chamfered portion 130e described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 630. A combination of these may be machined in the range of the first inclined portion 120a that includes the oil recovery holes 630.

[0117] As shown in (a) and (b), the oil injection holes 640 communicate with the connection groove 650 when the upper stationary plate 610c and the lower stationary plate 610d are connected at the upper part of the stationary plate 610c, and holes are drilled axially downward from the upper surface of the second inclined portion 120b. A plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of oil injection holes 640 is four is shown as an example, but it is of course not limited to this.

[0118] As shown in (a) and (b), the connection groove 650 is formed in the lower stationary plate 610d. When the upper stationary plate 610c and the lower stationary plate 610d are connected, one end communicates with the oil recovery hole 630, the other end communicates with the oil injection hole 640, and grooves are machined along the circumferential direction on the upper surface of the lower stationary plate 610d. A plurality of them are provided at intervals in the radial direction. In (a), the case where the number of connection grooves 650 is four is shown as an example, but it is of course not limited to this.

[0119] Here, the flow of the lubricating oil 7 when the rotating plate 4 rotates will be described. When the rotating plate 4 rotates, the lubricating oil 7 existing in the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 610 is entrained, and the lubricating oil 7 flows at a high speed in the rotating direction of the rotating plate 4 through this gap.

[0120] A part of the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a flows out from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a as shown in f21, hits the upstream side surface of the downstream stationary plate 610b, and flows downward inside the oil sump 5. Also, as shown in f22, it flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 610b from below inside the oil sump 5.

[0121] Another part of the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 610b as shown in f23.

[0122] Furthermore, as described above, since the section of the first inclined portion 120a is at a positive pressure and the section of the second inclined portion 120b is at a negative pressure, due to the differential pressure between the two, a part of the lubricating oil 7 that flows into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a flows into the oil recovery hole 630 from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the first inclined portion 120a as shown in f80. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the oil recovery hole 630 flows into the oil injection hole 640 through the connection groove 650 from the oil recovery hole 630 as shown in f81. The lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the oil injection hole 640 flows out from the oil injection hole 640 into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the second inclined portion 120b as shown in f82.

[0123] At this time, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 that has flowed into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a is relatively hot because its temperature rises due to friction caused by viscosity before it flows out of this gap. However, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f82 that has flowed in from the oil recovery hole 630 and flows out from the oil injection hole 640 is relatively cold because there is no such temperature rise. Therefore, the relatively hot lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is cooled by the relatively cold lubricating oil 7 shown in f82. As a result, the lubricating oil 7 shown in f23, which has become relatively cold, directly flows from the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a into the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the downstream stationary plate 610b.

[0124] In addition, when a counterbore 130c as shown in FIG. 3 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 630 in the first inclined portion 120a, the lubricating oil 7 that has flowed into the counterbore 130c is blocked by a step 130d formed at the downstream end of the counterbore 130c, so that the positive pressure around the opening of the oil recovery hole 630 increases. Therefore, since the differential pressure between the opening of the oil recovery hole 630 and the opening of the oil injection hole 640 becomes even larger, the amount of the cooling lubricating oil 7 shown in f82 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 630 and flows out from the oil injection hole 640 increases, and the relatively hot lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is more cooled.

[0125] Also, when a chamfered portion 130e as shown in FIG. 4 is machined in the range including the oil recovery hole 630 in the first inclined portion 120a, the edge of the opening of the oil recovery hole 630 is removed, reducing the inlet loss of the flow path of the cooling lubricating oil 7. Therefore, since it becomes easier for the lubricating oil 7 to flow into the oil recovery hole 630, the amount of the cooling lubricating oil 7 shown in f82 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 630 and flows out from the oil injection hole 640 increases, and the relatively hot lubricating oil 7 shown in f20 is more cooled.

[0126] As described above, according to the thrust bearing device 600 of the fifth embodiment, the relatively low-temperature lubricating oil 7 that flows in from the oil recovery hole 630 and flows out from the oil injection hole 640 cools the relatively high-temperature lubricating oil 7 whose temperature has risen in the process of passing through the gap between the rotating plate 4 and the upstream stationary plate 610a. Therefore, the temperature of the lubricating oil 7 that directly flows from the upstream stationary plate 610a to the downstream stationary plate 610b also becomes relatively low, and the temperature of the oil film also becomes relatively low. As a result, since the viscosity of the oil film is maintained, a sufficient oil film pressure is generated to resist the thrust load acting in the axial direction, and the possibility of contact between the rotating plate 4 and the stationary plate 610 can be suppressed. In addition, since the temperature of the oil film becomes relatively low, the material strength of the sliding member 120 provided on the upper surface of the stationary plate 610 can be ensured. Furthermore, since all of the paths of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling are provided inside the stationary plate 610, the number of parts can be reduced and the space can be saved. Moreover, since the stationary plate 610 is composed of the upper stationary plate 610c and the lower stationary plate 610d, and it is easy to access the machining surface with tools, the position, cross-sectional area, etc. of the path of the lubricating oil 7 for cooling can be set more freely.

[0127] As described above, some embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0128] 1... Bearing device, 2... Rotating shaft, 3... Thrust collar, 3a... Upper part of thrust collar, 3b... Lower part of thrust collar, 4... Rotating plate, 5... Oil sump, 6... Guide bearing, 7... Lubricating oil, 8... Support plate, 9... Elastic member, 100... Thrust bearing device, 110... Stationary plate, 110a... Upstream stationary plate, 110b... Downstream stationary plate, 120... Sliding member, 120a... First inclined part, 120b... Second inclined part, 120c... Effective sliding part, 130a... Oil recovery hole, 130b... Oil recovery communication hole, 130c... Groove, 130d... Step, 130e... Chamfered part, 140a... Oil injection hole, 140b... Oil injection communication hole, 150... Connecting pipe, 210... Stationary plate, 210a... Upstream stationary plate, 210b... Downstream stationary plate, 250... Connecting pipe, 310... Stationary plate, 310a... Upstream stationary plate, 310b... Downstream stationary plate, 330a... Oil recovery hole, 330b... Oil recovery communication hole, 340a... Oil injection hole, 340b... Oil injection communication hole, 350... Connecting pipe, 410... Stationary plate, 410a... Upstream stationary plate, 410b... Downstream stationary plate, 440a... Oil injection hole, 450... Connecting pipe, 510... Stationary plate, 510a... Upstream stationary plate, 510b... Downstream stationary plate, 550... Connection hole, 560... Closing plug, 610... Stationary plate, 610a... Upstream stationary plate, 610b... Downstream stationary plate, 610c... Upper part of stationary plate, 610d... Lower part of stationary plate, 630... Oil recovery hole, 640... Oil injection hole, 650... Connection groove.

Claims

1. In an oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotation axis of a vertical-axis rotary electric machine, a thrust bearing device disposed axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar to receive a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotation axis, having a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis such that the sliding member faces the lower surface of the rotating plate; a plurality of elastic members having one end connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump and the other end connected to the lower surface of the plurality of stationary plates; comprising: each of the plurality of stationary plates has, a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the sliding member in the radial direction; a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate across the sliding member in the radial direction; a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion downward in the axial direction; an oil recovery communication hole communicating with the oil recovery holes and provided so as to be located axially below the first inclined portion; a connection pipe having one end communicating with the oil recovery communication hole and the other end extending toward the downstream side in the rotation direction of the same or adjacent stationary plate; an oil injection communication hole communicating with the other end of the connection pipe and provided so as to be located axially below the second inclined portion; a plurality of oil injection holes communicating with the oil injection communication hole and provided at intervals in the radial direction from the oil injection communication hole toward the second inclined portion; A thrust bearing device characterized by having the above.

2. The oil recovery communication hole is provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate, The thrust bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the oil injection communication hole is provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate.

3. The oil recovery communication hole is provided along the circumferential direction from the side surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate, The thrust bearing device according to claim 1, wherein the oil injection communication hole is provided along the circumferential direction from the side surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate.

4. In the oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotation axis of a vertical-axis rotating electric machine, a thrust bearing device disposed axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar to receive a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotation axis, having a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis so that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other; a plurality of elastic members having one end connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump and the other end connected to the lower surfaces of the plurality of stationary plates; and comprising: Each of the plurality of stationary plates has, over the radial direction of the sliding member, a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate; a second inclined portion formed from an end portion on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate, over the radial direction of the sliding member; a plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction, extending downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the first inclined portion; an oil recovery communication hole communicating with the oil recovery holes and provided along the circumferential direction from the side surface on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate so as to be located axially below the first inclined portion; a connecting pipe having one end communicating with the oil recovery communication hole and the other end extending along the side surface on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the stationary plate, and a plurality of oil injection holes being provided at intervals in the radial direction on the upper surface of the other end; a thrust bearing device characterized by having the above.

5. In the oil sump provided on the radially outer side so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the radially outer side around the rotation axis of a vertical-axis rotating electric machine, a thrust bearing device disposed axially below an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar to receive a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotation axis, having a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis so that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other; a plurality of elastic members having one end connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump and the other end connected to the lower surfaces of the plurality of stationary plates; and comprising: Each of the plurality of stationary plates has, over the radial direction of the sliding member, a first inclined portion formed from an end portion on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the rotating plate; Over the radial direction of the sliding member, a second inclined portion formed from the end portion on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the rotating plate; A plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction downward from the upper surface of the first inclined portion toward the lower side in the axial direction; An oil recovery communication hole that communicates with the oil recovery hole and is provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the first inclined portion; A connection hole having one end communicating with the oil recovery communication hole and provided along the circumferential direction from the side surface on the upstream or downstream side in the rotational direction of the stationary plate; An oil injection communication hole that communicates with the other end of the connection hole and is provided along the radial direction from the inner or outer side surface in the radial direction of the stationary plate so as to be located on the lower side in the axial direction of the second inclined portion; A plurality of oil injection holes provided at intervals in the radial direction from the oil injection communication hole toward the second inclined portion; A closing plug that closes the openings generated to form the oil recovery communication hole, the connection hole, and the oil injection communication hole; A thrust bearing device characterized by having the above.

6. Inside an oil sump provided on the outer side in the radial direction so as to accommodate a thrust collar fixed to the outer side in the radial direction centered on the rotating shaft of a vertical shaft type rotating electric machine, a thrust bearing device arranged on the lower side in the axial direction of an annular rotating plate provided on the lower surface of the thrust collar to receive a thrust load acting in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, Having a sliding member, and a plurality of stationary plates arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotating shaft so that the sliding member and the lower surface of the rotating plate face each other; A plurality of elastic members having one end connected to the upper surface of an annular support plate provided inside the oil sump and the other end connected to the lower surfaces of the plurality of stationary plates; Comprising: Each of the plurality of stationary plates An upper stationary plate portion having the sliding member; A lower stationary plate portion connected to the elastic member; Is composed of In the upper stationary plate portion, A first inclined portion formed from the end portion on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the rotating plate over the radial direction of the sliding member; A second inclined portion formed from the end portion on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the rotating plate over the radial direction of the sliding member; A plurality of oil recovery holes provided at intervals in the radial direction downward from the upper surface of the first inclined portion toward the lower side in the axial direction; A plurality of oil injection holes are provided at intervals in the radial direction downward in the axial direction from the upper surface of the second inclined portion. It has In the lower part of the stationary plate, When the upper part and the lower part of the stationary plate are connected, one end communicates with the oil recovery hole, the other end communicates with the oil injection hole, and a plurality of connection grooves are provided at intervals in the radial direction with respect to the upper surface of the lower part of the stationary plate. A thrust bearing device characterized by this.

7. The thrust bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a dimple is machined in a range including the oil recovery hole in the first inclined portion.

8. The thrust bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a chamfered portion is machined in a range including the oil recovery hole in the first inclined portion.

9. A rotating electric machine comprising the thrust bearing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. A rotating electric machine comprising the thrust bearing device according to claim 7.

11. A rotating electric machine comprising the thrust bearing device according to claim 8.

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