A fluid dynamic bearing system having at least one stationary part and one
rotating part that form a bearing gap filled with bearing fluid between
the opposing bearing surfaces, at least one end of the bearing gap being
open and sealed against the environment by a sealing means, pumping
grooves being provided on at least two spatially separated bearing
surfaces to generate hydrodynamic pressure and at least one supply volume
connected to the bearing gap being available for the bearing fluid. The
distinctive feature of the invention is that the sealing means are formed
by pumping grooves that are disposed at the open and of the bearing gap
on at least one of the bearing parts and designed in such away that they
generate a pumping action on the bearing fluid directed towards the
interior of the bearing and, as a result, create a dynamic seal for the
open end of the bearing. The bearing system itself is designed as a
compact unit preferably consisting of only three parts.