US Patent 7311445 Tilting pad bearing assembly

A tilting pad bearing assembly consists of an array of bearing pads each supported on a rigid carrier by way of an intervening pivot ridge extending from the pad or carrier. The individual pad surfaces are able to tilt or rock to a limited extent about a pivot or fulcrum ridge. A pad hole depth permits a pin to be inserted via a carrier hole such that with the pad supported on the carrier the pin head is spaced slightly from a shoulder and the pad able to tilt. The assembly permits simplified manufacture by supporting the pads on their bearing surfaces, overlaying the carrier to effect contact at the pivot ridge and forcing the pins into the pads to the limits of the blind holes that gives the correct clearance with respect to the carrier.