Abstract: An equipment unit such as the primary pump of a liquid metal cooled reactor is suspended from the reactor vault roof by means of complementary bearing zones formed respectively in top flanges of the pump and in stationary supporting flanges secured to the vault roof. The flexible connection between the two sets of flanges is provided by a flexible ring, the cross-section of which along a diametral plane comprises a substantially circular convex portion engaged in a concave recess of one bearing zone and a portion having a gear-tooth profile adapted to engage in a corresponding recess of the other bearing zone.

Abstract: A rotary machine such as a pump has a vertical driveshaft suspended from the upper end and provided at the lower end with an impeller surrounded by a casing in which provision is made for a suction chamber fitted with stationary radial vanes integral with the casing. The driveshaft is rotatably mounted in a hydrostatic bearing placed beneath the impeller, a removable sleeve being mounted coaxially with the shaft between the suction chamber and the impeller.