Abstract: Disclosed is a snubber bearing assembly for protecting a rotor and accompanying bearings from radial and axial rotor transient overload events. The bearing assembly includes a snubber journal mounted on the rotor and a snubber housing having a radial snubber bearing mounted on its inside surface, the radial snubber bearing being radially-offset from an outer radial surface of the snubber journal. Lubricating plugs are disposed within a plurality of holes defined in the radial snubber bearing, the lubricating plugs being configured to provide lubrication between the radial contact surface and the outer radial surface during a radial rotor transient overload event. The snubber housing can also include opposing axial snubber bearings that have lubricating plugs disposed within holes defined therein also. The opposing axial snubber bearings are configured to be axially-offset from inner axial surfaces defined by the rotor journal and provide lubrication therebetween during an axial rotor transient overload event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snubber bearing assembly for protecting a rotor and accompanying bearings from radial and axial rotor transient overload events. The bearing assembly includes a snubber journal mounted on the rotor and a snubber housing having a radial snubber bearing mounted on its inside surface, the radial snubber bearing being radially-offset from an outer radial surface of the snubber journal. Lubricating plugs are disposed within a plurality of holes defined in the radial snubber bearing, the lubricating plugs being configured to provide lubrication between the radial contact surface and the outer radial surface during a radial rotor transient overload event. The snubber housing can also include opposing axial snubber bearings that have lubricating plugs disposed within holes defined therein also. The opposing axial snubber bearings are configured to be axially-offset from inner axial surfaces defined by the rotor journal and provide lubrication therebetween during an axial rotor transient overload event.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing a turbomachine, with the apparatus including a loading device housing, a disk, and a non-contacting seal. The loading device housing has an inner surface and a fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas. The disk is located outside of a turbomachine housing in which the turbomachine is disposed and is coupled to a shaft of the turbomachine, proximal an axial end of the shaft. The disk is received in the loading device housing and is axially moveable in the loading device housing while the shaft is rotating. The non-contacting seal is disposed between the inner surface and the disk.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for testing a turbomachine, with the apparatus including a loading device housing, a disk, and a non-contacting seal. The loading device housing has an inner surface and a fluid inlet configured to receive a pressurized gas. The disk is located outside of a turbomachine housing in which the turbomachine is disposed and is coupled to a shaft of the turbomachine, proximal an axial end of the shaft. The disk is received in the loading device housing and is axially moveable in the loading device housing while the shaft is rotating. The non-contacting seal is disposed between the inner surface and the disk.