Apparatus for equalizing radial load on plurality of pivoted bearing pads

Abstract

An apparatus for equalizing the radial load on the pivoted bearing pads of a journal bearing which comprises in excess of two pivoted bearing pads, say four or five pivoted bearing pads, for example. The journal bearing includes two bearing pads located in a generally central region relative to the span of the plurality of bearing pads in a circumferential direction, with the corresponding supports for the two bearing pads being radially fixed in position, and with the remaining bearing pads being mounted on supports which are radially adjustable. A mechanical adjusting means is pivoted for separately radially adjusting the support for each of the radially adjustable bearing pads, whereby to correspondingly, radially adjust the corresponding pivoted bearing pads. A separate source of high pressure oil is connected to the interface between each bearing pad and the journal, and a separate hydraulic pressure gauge is provided for each of said interfaces. The supports for the respective radially adjustable bearing pads are radially adjusted until an equalization is reached between the high pressure oil film pressures at the interfaces between all of the respective bearing pads and the rotating journal which is indicative that all of the bearing pads are carrying an equal radial load. It may be desirable under certain conditions to purposely provide a differential pressure setting for certain of the bearing pads at the time of initial adjustment whereby to obtain substantial equalization of radial load on all the bearing pads after operational equilibrium is reached.