Design of Flexture Bearing

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A Flexture bearing is a mechanical device/component which has a two in one function that of a Spring and a bearing to carry load. The flexing is preferred in the axial direction. It is a very crucial and critical component for a miniature FPFD Stirling cryocooler used for space and military application in order to withstand gravitational and impact loads on the cryocooler by utilizing bearings theoretical Infinite radial Stiffness as compared to Axial stiffness. The cryocooler has a piston and a displacer which are supposed to maintain a clearance from the cylinder body of the piston and displacer which is done by the flexture bearing not allowing the piston and displacer to displace beyond a certain Displacement in radial direction but axial displacement is allowed in order to get the required piston and Displacer motion. The piston and displacer are driven by a linear motor working on a frequency of 15Hz. The flexture bearing also needs to designed so as to work for a long time without undergoing any failure within the life cycle of it. The Flexture design proposed has all the characteristics stated above and is under improvement phase.