Invalidity dossier
US 9518604
Added 5/14/2026, 6:02:00 AM
⚖️ 1 PTAB proceeding on file for this patent
— Inter Partes Review, Post-Grant Review, or Covered Business Method proceedings at the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
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Patent summary
Title, assignee, inventors, filing/issue dates, abstract, and a plain-language overview of the claims.
An analysis of U.S. Patent 9,518,604 reveals the following information.
Title: Fluid bearings
Assignee: Metso Finland Oy
Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Jeffrey Victor Belke, Nicholas John Green, Chris Tate, Oscar Harrison, Knut Vaage
Filing Date: June 28, 2013
Issue Date: December 13, 2016
Abstract: The present invention provides improvements to a fluid bearing for a journal, one being a polymer bearing pad with an outer surface, at least one recess for receiving lubricating fluid from a base of the fluid bearing and distributing the lubricating fluid to the outer surface and a mount for securely mounting the polymer bearing pad to the base. Other improvements include a fluid bearing with the polymer bearing pad, steps for making the polymer bearing pad and fluid bearing, a fluid bearing with a polymer bearing pad having a chamfer and a multidirectional fluid bearing.
Plain-Language Summary of Independent Claims:
Claim 1: A bearing assembly designed to support a rotating shaft (journal) of a grinding mill. This assembly includes a frame and multiple fluid bearings. Each fluid bearing consists of a polymer pad attached to a base. The polymer pad has a surface that receives a lubricating fluid from the base and distributes it. This base is designed to self-adjust to any changes in the angle of the rotating shaft.
Claim 11: This claim describes a method for creating a polymer bearing pad for a fluid bearing. The process involves several steps:
- First, a polymer pad with an outer surface is formed.
- Next, at least one recess is created in the pad to receive and distribute a lubricating fluid.
- Finally, a mounting feature is added to the pad to securely attach it to the base of the fluid bearing.
Claim 23: This claim details a fluid bearing for a journal that includes a base with a fluid supply port and passages. A key feature is a polymer bearing pad that can be mounted to this base. This pad has a "chamfer," or a beveled edge, which helps to hold and transfer the lubricating fluid onto the journal.
Claim 27: This claim describes a multi-directional fluid bearing for a journal. It features a base with two surfaces at right angles to each other, along with a lubricating fluid supply. A first polymer pad is mounted on the first surface, and a second polymer pad is mounted on the second surface. Both pads have recesses to receive and distribute the lubricating fluid to their respective surfaces.
A search of the CAFC dockets for 2026 did not yield any results for litigation involving U.S. Patent 9,518,604. However, it's important to note that court records can have delays in posting, and this information may not be completely up-to-date.
Generated 5/14/2026, 6:46:24 AM