US Patent 7360950 Hydrodynamic bearing assembly

This invention provides a hydrodynamic bearing assembly which realizes a high rotation rate in a stable manner with robust rigidity. The hydrodynamic bearing assembly has a total radial gap of 3 microns or less for preventing contact with the thrust bearing. The thrust bearing is a pump-out type, and the radial bearing has offset grooves on the surface thereof to supply fluid flow to the thrust bearing. A depth ratio of the grooves relative to the diameter of the shaft is preferably 0.005 or less to avoid reduced translational rigidity.