General Electric Company
Bearing support including hermetic squeeze film damper and accumulator volume

Abstract:

Embodiments of a frequency independent damper assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, the damper assembly includes a damper housing, a damper plunger and a support spring. The damper plunger is disposed at least partially within the housing and movable within to define a first primary damper cavity and a second primary damper cavity. The support spring includes a plurality of flexible elements coupled to the damper housing and disposed radially outward of the first primary damper cavity and the second primary damper cavity. The support spring defines a first accumulator cavity and a second accumulator cavity. A flow-through channel couples the first accumulator cavity to the second accumulator cavity. A gas bearing including the frequency independent damper assembly is disclosed.