An air bearing including a unitary, i.e., single piece, housing, which
removes the need for an insert, is disclosed. The air bearing may include
a shaft opening longitudinally extending through the housing for
receiving the shaft; a plurality of passages that longitudinally extend
into the housing for communicating a gas; a set of a plurality of nozzle
seat openings, each nozzle seat opening extending from the shaft opening
and intersecting one of the passages; and a nozzle positioned in each
nozzle seat opening at a distance from the shaft opening for injecting
the gas into the shaft opening to support the shaft. The air bearing
allows for contact of the shaft to the shaft opening in the housing
without damage, no leakage, and easier and more cost-effective
manufacturability.