Abstract: A tilt pad journal bearing for supporting a rotating shaft includes an annular support ring and a plurality of arcuate pads tiltably mounted in the annular support ring and circumferentially spaced apart from each other. The tilt pad journal bearing further has a lubrication arrangement disposed between each pair of the plurality of arcuate pads. The lubrication arrangement includes a lubrication manifold connected to the annular support ring and recessed relative to a shaft support surface of adjacent arcuate pads to define an oil mixing cavity, and a plurality of lubrication nozzles protruding from the lubrication manifold into the oil mixing cavity. A cross-sectional flow area of at least one of the plurality of lubrication nozzles positioned toward a center of the lubrication manifold is larger than a cross-sectional flow area of a remainder of the plurality of nozzles.

Abstract: A bearing includes a thrust gas bearing attached to a journal bearing and two or more converging-diverging orifices defined in a surface of at least one of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing. The converging-diverging orifices supply at least one pressurized gas to an interior of the bearing. Hydrodynamic lifting grooves are provided on the faces of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing and provide improved load capacity and sealing capabilities. Control over the ratios of the pressurized gases provides for additional sealing capabilities and reduced leakage. A metal mesh damper provides increased damping of the gas bearing.

Abstract: A bearing includes a thrust gas bearing attached to a journal bearing and two or more converging-diverging orifices defined in a surface of at least one of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing. The converging-diverging orifices supply at least one pressurized gas to an interior of the bearing. Hydrodynamic lifting grooves are provided on the faces of the thrust gas bearing and the journal bearing and provide improved load capacity and sealing capabilities. Control over the ratios of the pressurized gases provides for additional sealing capabilities and reduced leakage. A metal mesh damper provides increased damping of the gas bearing.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a plurality of rotating blades adjacent to a plurality of stationary vanes attached to a stationary casing. Stationary vanes are spaced apart circumferentially with equal spacing around an inner perimeter of the casing. Optionally, stationary vanes are offset radially and/or circumferentially. Stationary vanes may alternate with leading and/or trailing edges at different distances from the rotating blades. In one embodiment, stationary vanes have tapered leading and/or trailing edge angles to homogenize flow and reduce stator wake excitation, flow excitation, and acoustic excitation due to interaction with spinning modes of acoustic pressure pulsations at rotating blade passing frequency.