Alstom Technology Limited

Kamil Matyscak

Axel Guenter Albert Fuerst

Pierre Meylan

Michael Mueller

In a method of monitoring the operation of a plain bearing, a lubricant passage () of a bearing segment, this lubricating passage () being provided for jacking oil for example, is used during hydrodynamic operation of the plain bearing for extracting samples for a temperature measurement. For producing the measuring operation, a switch-over device () clears a flow path from the lubricant passage () into an outflow passage () in such a way that lubricant from the lubricating film () flows through the lubricant passage, the temperarature of this lubricant being determined by a temperature sensor ().

Method and device for monitoring the operation of a plain bearing

A hydrodynamic plain bearing is provided and includes a raceway which is rotatable about an axis of rotation and which is mounted in the axial direction on a plurality of carrying segments (). A lubricating oil film is formed between the raceway and the carrying segments () in a bearing gap. In such a plain bearing, a circulation of the lubricating oil is brought about in a simple way in that the plain bearing is equipped with an integrated pumping device () for pumping the lubricating oil around in a circuit.

Hydrodynamic plain bearing

A bearing arrangement for the rotor () of a rotating machine, in particular of a hydrogenerator () rotating about a vertical axis (), comprises a combined axial and radial bearing () which is accommodated in a bearing body (), on which supporting arms () are arranged for absorbing axial forces. The supporting arms () are supported with the free ends on a load-bearing base. Tangentially oriented connecting elements () are additionally provided between the bearing body () and a foundation (), enclosing the rotor, for absorbing radial forces and for centering the bearing, which connecting elements () are fastened at a first end to the foundation () and are fastened at a second end to articulation points () arranged directly on the bearing body (). This results in a material-saving construction, optimization of the individual bearing functions, and improved adjustability.

Bearing device for the rotor of a rotating machine

A thermal turbomachine, an axial flow gas turbine ( ) in particular, includes a rotor ( ), which at its exit side is supported on a bearing ( ), which is situated on a bearing saddle ( ) within an annular inner part ( ) of an exhaust casing, the bearing saddle ( ) being supported on a foundation of the machine by means of a spring support ( ). In such a turbomachine, the stiffness of the bearing support is improved or restored by attaching the bearing saddle ( ) to the inner part ( ) of the exhaust casing by a spring-loaded bolted connection ( ).

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Brenden Uehlingen Birkendorf, Germany

Kamil Matyscak