Abstract: A method of controlling, by a controller for a compressor (200), pressure at plurality of magnetic motor thrust bearings (360, 370) for a motor (280) disposed within a housing (220) for the compressor (200), wherein the motor (280) and an impeller (270) are disposed on a compressor shaft (260) within the housing, the method including: monitoring current at each of the plurality of magnetic motor thrust bearings (360, 370), controlling a flow regulator (400) in a bypass loop (380) for the impeller (270) to decrease flow through the bypass loop when a first current in a first of the plurality of magnetic motor thrust bearings (360, 370) exceeds a second current in a second of the plurality of magnetic motor thrust bearings (360, 370), and controlling the flow regulator (400) to increase flow through the bypass loop (380) when the second current exceeds the first current.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine defining a longitudinal direction and a radial direction is provided.

Abstract: A centrifugal electric submersible pump (ESP). The centrifugal ESP comprises a rotatable shaft, a series of impellers stacked on the rotatable shaft, each impeller comprising a hub secured to the rotatable shaft by a key, the series of impellers comprising an uppermost impeller and a lowermost impeller, a flanged sleeve keyed to the rotatable shaft below the lowermost impeller, and a seal disposed between the lowermost impeller and the flanged sleeve.

Abstract: A turbine which has: a balance piston disposed in a turbine rotor; a plurality of balance piston seals disposed on a casing side in a manner to face the balance piston; a balance piston extraction hole allowing extraction from between the plurality of balance piston seals to a middle stage of the turbine stages; an exhaust connection piping connecting a low pressure side of the balance piston to a turbine exhaust system; a exhaust connection piping valve mechanism which is provided in the exhaust connection piping; a plurality of seal mechanisms provided between the low pressure side of the balance piston and the atmosphere; and an exhaust piping allowing exhaust from between the plurality of seal mechanisms.

Abstract: A rotating machine includes: a casing, a rotary shaft rotatably supported in the casing and extending in a thrust direction, a first magnet installed on the rotary shaft, an attenuation mechanism supported by the casing and disposed to face the first magnet in the thrust direction, a second magnet installed in the attenuation mechanism to face the first magnet in the thrust direction and that repels the first magnet, an impeller installed on one end of the rotary shaft, and support sections that support the attenuation mechanism with respect to the casing. Furthermore, the attenuation mechanism includes: an attenuator that attenuates vibrations of the second magnet in the thrust direction, and a pushing-back unit that pushes the second magnet back toward the first magnet.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump includes a housing that defines an inlet passage, a chamber, and an outlet passage. The pump includes an impeller rotatably positioned in the chamber to transfer blood from the inlet passage through the chamber and to the outlet passage and magnetic members embedded in the impeller such that the impeller and the magnetic members rotate together within the chamber. The pump includes a motor to control movement of the impeller in the chamber. The motor is adjacent the chamber and separated from the chamber by a partition member. The pump includes an inner annular magnetic member and an outer annular magnetic member embedded in a side of the housing opposite the partition member. A first net magnetic force between the inner annular magnetic member and the magnetic members exhibits greater attraction than a second net magnetic force between the outer annular member and the magnetic members.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of evaluating valve conditions in a turbine by a data acquisition system. The method may include the steps of receiving a number of operating parameters from a number of sensors, wherein the operating parameters may include steam temperatures determined over time and steam pressure, determining a steam chemistry, a throttling history, and a piping material, determining a probability of valve erosion based upon the steam temperatures determined over time, the steam chemistry, the throttling history, and the piping material, and altering one or more of the operating parameters and/or initiating repair procedures based upon the determined probability.

Abstract: A steam turbine gland seal arrangement prevents leakage of steam from around a turbine rotor. The gland seal arrangement includes a chamber formed in a gland carrier attached to a casing component and a heat shield that partitions the chamber from the component.

Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.

Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a marine current power generation device has rotary blades, rotating shaft, power generator, guide bearings, thrust collars and thrust bearings. The guide bearing has a second slide surface being slidable relative to the first slide surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing has a fourth slide surface being slidable relative to the third slide surface of the rotary plate of the thrust collar. The materials of the first and third slide surfaces include ferrous materials, stainless materials, Ti, Ti alloy, Co, or Co alloy. The materials of the second and fourth slide surfaces include a resin material filled with a first fibrous member and a second fibrous member. The second fibrous member is smaller than the first fibrous member.

Abstract: A turbocompressor for use with a process fluid and including an axial expansion turbine for expanding the process fluid and a centrifugal compressor for compressing the process fluid. The turbine and compressor share a common shaft, all of which can be housed by a common housing that encloses sealed spaces. The axial expansion turbine has a rotor located between two main bearings, and the centrifugal compressor includes an impeller mounted to one end of the shaft. In one embodiment, the main bearings are lubricated by a portion of the process fluid so that the only fluid in the sealed spaces is the process fluid. The turbocompressor can be used in a power-cycle system that includes a heat source and, optionally, an electrical generator.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of thrust absorbing planetary traction drives that utilize roller-shaft traction interfaces that are slanted to absorb thrust created on a turbo shaft by a turbine or compressor. Slanted traction surfaces on the sun portion of the turbo shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the planetary traction drive. Either double roller planets or single roller planets can be used to absorb thrust in the axial direction of the turbo shaft. Various curved and slanted surfaces can be utilized to create traction interfaces that hold and stabilize the turbo shaft both axially and radially.

Abstract: A thrust shaft contains a shaft body having a disk at one axial end to provide a rotating surface in a thrust bearing, the disk having a first side and an opposite second side. The thrust shaft also contains a first section extending from the first side of the disk, the first section cylindrical in shape and having eleven holes uniformly spaced circumferentially about the first section, the holes being substantially axially equidistant from the first side of the disk. The thrust shaft also contains a second section cylindrical in shape having a smaller diameter than the first section, the second section extending from the first section to an end of the shaft remote from the disk.

Abstract: The invention concerns a turbine for the expansion of gas and vapor, comprising a body or case, a fixed external sleeve member, overhanging frontally from a frontal wall of said case, and a turbine shaft (15) extending coaxially and rotating in said external sleeve member (18) with the interposition of a supporting unit (19). The external sleeve member has a head flange to axially hold said supporting unit; the turbine shaft ends with a joint to connect it to a device to be operated. The supporting unit (19) includes ball bearings to support the turbine shaft (15) in said external sleeve member (18), and between said external sleeve member (18) and a contiguous end of said turbine shaft (15) an aggregate (50) is provided to generate an adjustable axial force so as to compensate the axial thrust of the turbine shaft to limit the application of improper axial loads on the ball bearings.

Abstract: An expander-generator is disclosed having an expansion device and a generator disposed within a hermetically-sealed housing. The expansion device may be overhung and supported on or otherwise rotate a hollow expansion rotor having a thrust balance seal being arranged at least partially within a chamber defined in the expansion rotor. Partially-expanded working fluid is extracted from an intermediate expansion stage and a first portion of the extracted working fluid is used cool the generator and accompanying radial bearings. A second portion of the extracted working fluid may be introduced into the chamber defined within the expander rotor via a conduit defined in the thrust balance seal chamber. The second portion of extracted working fluid minimizes unequal axial thrust loads on the expander rotor due to the overhung arrangement.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing is pressed into the diffuser bore and has a curved interior. A thrust runner having a curved exterior is correspondingly and closely received by the thrust bearing interior. The thrust runner is keyed to a shaft and transmits thrust from a rotating impeller to the diffuser via the thrust bearing. The curved surface of the thrust bearing allows for handling of both axial and radial thrust without the need for multiple thrust bearings. The increased surface area of the curved surface in the thrust bearing can also handle higher loads.

Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger shaft comprising a rotatable elongated cylinder with axially spaced journal bearing surfaces on the inside diameter and a thrust face on each end. A sleeve on the shaft incorporates a flange on one end that transmits thrust force to one thrust face on the elongated cylinder. A flanged collar on the opposite end of the shaft transmits thrust force to the thrust face on the opposite end of the elongated cylinder. A radially extending flange on one end of the elongated cylinder transmits thrust forces to stationary housings.

Abstract: A turbomachine includes a compressor having a cartridge that is configured to slide in and out of an external casing. The turbomachine further includes an electrical motor having a motor shaft configured to be connected to the compressor shaft. A conduit is configured to extend through the statoric part of the compressor or the motor, from a first magnetic bearing to the second magnetic bearing. The conduit includes conduit electrical cables provided inside the conduit and extending from a first end of the conduit to a second end of the conduit; and electrical cables connecting one of the first and second magnetic bearings to an external connector via the conduit electrical cables of the conduit.

Abstract: A pump assembly with a rotatable rotor shaft (10), wherein the rotor shaft (10) includes at least one axial bearing (36, 40) and a radial bearing (30, 32), which are integrated into a common bearing assembly (16).

Abstract: A fluid flow machine, in particular a steam turbine, is provided having a piston-equalizing line which conducts a vapour from a fresh vapour region of a second flow duct to a thrust-equalizing piston, wherein the surface of the piston-equalizing line is enlarged, and wherein the inner surface of the piston-equalizing line is enlarged.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump assembly with at least one impeller (8) and with a thrust bearing (44) which includes a rotating (50) and a stationary (48) bearing part. The rotating (50) as well as the stationary (48) bearing part are designed in a self-aligning manner.

Abstract: A compressor includes a shaft assembly including a thrust disk disposed on a main shaft and a housing having a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions adapted to receive the shaft assembly and enclose the shaft assembly therebetween, wherein the shaft assembly is rotatably disposed within the housing, and wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a shaft assembly retention feature for receiving the thrust disk to regulate a motion of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A thrust bearing shaft has an enlarged disk at one axial end to provide a rotating surface in a thrust bearing. A first cylindrical portion extends from the disk. A second cylindrical portion has a smaller diameter than the first cylindrical portion and extends from the first cylindrical portion to an end of the thrust shaft remote from the disk. The thrust shaft has a hollow bore with a ledge extending across the bore at a location within the first cylindrical portion. The ledge is formed with a central hole of a first hole diameter, and twelve air holes spaced circumferentially about the central hole. The twelve holes are formed of a second hole diameter, with a ratio of the first hole diameter to the second hole diameter being between 2.55 and 2.71. In addition, a bearing assembly, a compressor, and a method of assembling a compressor are disclosed.

Abstract: A thrust bearing shaft has a radially enlarged thrust disk to be mounted between two static housing surfaces in an air cycle machine. A first portion of the thrust bearing shaft extends from a first face of the thrust disk. A second portion extends from a second opposed face of the thrust disk. The second portion has sealing ribs and six holes. The sealing ribs are spaced closer to the thrust disk than are the holes. A ratio of a distance from an end of the second portion to a center of the holes compared to a distance from the end of the second portion to the second face of the thrust disk is between 0.20 and 0.22. In addition, an air cycle machine incorporating the thrust bearing shaft, and a method of assembling the thrust bearing shaft into an air cycle machine are disclosed.

Abstract: A turbomachinery electric generator arrangement includes a rotary compressor, a generator having a rotary armature and a stator, a combustion chamber to which compressed gas is directed from the compressor, a rotary turbine to which combustion product is directed from the combustion chamber and a bearing arrangement supporting in rotation the rotary compressor, rotary armature and rotary turbine. Compressed gas for cooling components of the arrangement is directed from the rotary compressor, typically being tapped off from a subsidiary gas output upstream of a primary gas outlet. Bearing thermal shielding and modular construction of components are also features of the arrangement.

Abstract: A turbine includes a stator (10) and a rotor (20); a plurality of turbine stages (30) through which a flow path of an operating fluid extends; an axial thrust balancing piston (40) arranged at the rotor and a first piston chamber (41) connected to one of the turbine stages (30.1) so that the operating fluid can be conveyed into the first piston chamber with a first fluid pressure, and a second piston chamber (42) has a counterpressure so that an axial thrust opposed to a flow direction of the operating fluid can be exerted on the rotor; and a pressure control device (60) connected to the second piston chamber. The pressure control device constructed to vary the counterpressure by controlled removal of fluid from the second piston chamber so that the axial thrust of the axial thrust balancing piston can be varied.

Abstract: Balance piston assembly, apparatus, and methods are provided. The assembly includes a balance piston coupled to a rotatable shaft and configured to rotate therewith, the balance piston including a first shelf and a second shelf, the first and second shelves being axially-overlapping and radially-offset. The assembly also includes a seal including a first sealing surface configured to seal with the first shelf and a second sealing surface configured to seal with the second shelf.

Abstract: A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.

Abstract: An electric turbo compressor is an air compressor to be used in a fuel cell system, and includes a housing comprised of a compression casing, a motor casing, and a canceller casing, and the housing houses therein an impeller, a rotary shaft, a thrust canceller (a load cancellation section), and a motor unit. The rotary shaft is supported by a thrust air bearing in its thrust direction, and is axially supported by a radial air bearing in its rotating direction. A thrust load is generated at the rotary shaft when the number of rotations of the impeller increases. The pressure of the compressed air acts to the pressure chamber from the compressed air lead-out section of the compression casing via the compressed air passage, and this pressure acts on the canceller flange of the canceller shaft so as to generate a load towards the rear of the rotary shaft. Therefore, the thrust load is cancelled out.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: A turbomachine arranged with a rotor and a stator, including a radial positioning device ensuring that the rotor is radially positioned; and a contactless axial balancing device arranged on at least one bladed wheel for axially balancing the rotor at high speed. The turbomachine includes a thrust bearing distinct from the radial positioning device serving to balance the rotor axially at low speed, and without contact at high speed. In addition, the radial positioning device is constituted by hydrostatic bearings, the turbomachine including hydrostatic bearing feed circuits suitable for connecting the bearings to a source of fluid under pressure. As a result, it is possible to obtain operation at high speeds with a very long lifetime.

Abstract: A cooling fan includes a fan housing (30) having a central tube (34) extending upwardly therefrom, a bearing (60) being received in the central tube, a stator (20) being mounted around the central tube, and a rotor (10) having a shaft (18) extending through the bearing. At least one notch (180, 184) is defined in an end of the shaft. A balance structure (62) is mounted around the shaft, and has a portion facing and surrounding an upper portion of the at least one notch of the shaft. The balance structure is made of magnetic material, which can attract the shaft downward to thereby counter the upward force generated by the rotor when it is driven to rotate. Accordingly, the noise problem incurred by the floating of the rotating rotor can be resolved by the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a steam turbine comprising an exterior housing and an interior housing. The exterior housing and the interior housing are provided with a fresh steam supply duct. A rotor that encompasses several impeller blades and a thrust-compensating piston is rotably mounted within the interior housing. The interior housing is equipped with several guide blades that are disposed such that a flow duct comprising several blade stages, each of which comprises a series of impeller blades and a series of guide blades, is formed along a specific direction of flow. The interior housing is further equipped with a recirculation duct which is embodied as a pipe that communicates between a space located between the interior housing and the exterior housing and the flow duct downstream of a blade stage.

Abstract: A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a turbine may include a bearing housing for a rotor with a passage along an axis of rotation of the rotor shaft. A cooling gland configured to transfer cooling fluid to the passage may be mounted to the bearing housing with a mounting structure configured to mount the cooling gland substantially in-line with the passage of the rotor.

Abstract: There is provided an axial bearing load distribution system for a gas turbine engine of the type having a low pressure rotor supported by axial bearings. The system comprises a line having an inlet end positioned in a high-pressure compressor gas path downstream of any compressor stage provided with a variable geometry. The line is adapted to sense static pressure in the high-pressure compressor gas path. The line has an outlet end producing the static pressure. An air-tight pressure actuator is operatively connected to the outlet end and to one of the axial bearings to exert a force on the axial bearing proportionally to a pressure of the outlet end.

Abstract: By inserting a protruding portion (8b), which is installed to a center position of a rear end surface (8x) of a fixed body (8), into a hole (4a), which is provided to a center position of an end surface (4x) on a side of a fixed body (8) of a fixed shaft (4) that is connected to a fixed body (3), the fixed bodies (3) and (8) and the fixed shaft (4) are connected. As a result, a sleeve (5) can be removed only by dismantling the fixed body (3).

Abstract: A number of machines such as gas turbine engines have asymmetric axial loading along a shaft (2, 3, 4). In order to accommodate for this asymmetric loading, known as an end bearing load, a load share bearing (103) is typically provided. However, specifying the fixed bearing (11, 12) becomes increasingly difficult as space and weight considerations are taken into account. In such circumstances providing a combination of a fixed bearing (11, 12) and a load share bearing (103) to achieve an acceptable bearing end load capacity is more acceptable. The proportion of the combination provided respectively by the fixed bearing and the load share bearing can be varied dependent upon operational stage in order to achieve more efficient operation.

Abstract: A pressure-balancing device for balancing pressure in at least one bearing enclosure of a turbojet, the enclosure including a mechanism feeding the bearing with lubricating liquid, an air intake, at least one sealing system placed between the stator and the rotor in front of and/or behind the bearing, a recovery mechanism recovering the lubricating liquid, and a removal mechanism removing the mixture of air and of traces of lubricating liquid towards a venting circuit. Downstream from the bearing enclosure and in the venting circuit, the balancing device includes a regulator system regulating the air removal flow rate, thereby enabling the flow rate to be variable as a function of the speed of the engine, to remain non-zero, and, at high speeds, to be lower than when the regulator system is not included.

Abstract: A steam turbine power plant that includes a first steam turbine, the steam turbine power plant including: a thrust piston operably connected to the first steam turbine via a shaft; and means for applying a supply of pressurized steam against the thrust piston such that the thrust piston applies a desired thrust force to the shaft. The desired thrust force may comprise a thrust force that partially balances a thrust force the first steam turbine applies to the shaft during operation.

Abstract: Roller bearings, and struts and gas turbine engines using such bearings are provided. In this regard, a representative roller bearing for a gas turbine engine includes: a roller having a rolling surface and an end; a race having a flange and defining a raceway, the raceway terminating at the flange, the raceway being operative to receive the roller such that the rolling surface of the roller engages in rolling contact with the raceway; and a hard coating applied to the flange such that the end of the roller engages in sliding contact with the coating.

Abstract: An assembly for preventing damage to bearings of a gas turbine engine during transportation is provided. The assembly comprises a turbofan gas turbine engine having an engine casing and at least one turbine shaft supported by a plurality of bearings, and, a brace secured relative to the engine casing and biasing the shaft along an axial direction of the shaft.

Abstract: There is provided an axial bearing load distribution system for a gas turbine engine of the type having a low pressure rotor supported by axial bearings. The system comprises a line having an inlet end positioned in a high-pressure compressor gas path downstream of any compressor stage provided with a variable geometry. The line is adapted to sense static pressure in the high-pressure compressor gas path. The line has an outlet end producing the static pressure. An air-tight pressure actuator is operatively connected to the outlet end and to one of the axial bearings to exert a force on the axial bearing proportionally to a pressure of the outlet end.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine comprises a rotary compressor (6) which is subject to forward thrust forces and is mounted on an axial shaft (50) which has a forward facing surface (67) located in a thrust bearing (52). A bleed of air under pressure (70, 74, 78) is provided from the compressor to the thrust bearing to form an air cushion (66, 68) opposing the forward thrust of the compressor transmitted by the shaft. The air cushion pressure automatically increases with engine speed. Other air cushion bearings (54, 56) are also provided along the shaft.

Abstract: A pump for the drawing-in of a fluid, including at least one centrifugal wheel having a fluid inlet edge and a fluid outlet edge, the pump further including an axial balancing system with a high-pressure flow space defined between the housing and an upstream face of the centrifugal wheel. The axial balancing system further includes a device for substantially increasing the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid circulating in the high-pressure flow space during operation of the pump.

Abstract: A turbine shaft may be used to remove a heat load from pliant bearings without requiring the use of a process fluid for cooling the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft comprises a heat conductive sleeve disposed between an outer surface of a tie rod shaft and an inner surface of a bearing journal; the heat conductive sleeve having a sleeve inner surface separated from a sleeve outer surface by a sleeve thickness; the heat conductive sleeve having a first end separated from a second end longitudinally about a center axis; the sleeve outer surface being in physical contact with the inner surface of the bearing journal; and the heat conductive sleeve having a thermal conductivity that is greater than a thermal conductivity of the bearing journal.

Abstract: An electric turbo compressor is an air compressor to be used in a fuel cell system, and includes a housing comprised o a compression casing, a motor casing, and a canceller casing, and the housing houses therein an impeller, a rotary shaft, a thrust canceller (a load cancellation section), and a motor unit. The rotary shaft is supported by a thrust air bearing in its thrust direction, and is axially supported by a radial air bearing in its rotating direction. A thrust load is generated at the rotary shaft when the number of rotations of the impeller increases. The pressure of the compressed air acts to the pressure chamber from the compressed air lead-out section of the compression casing via the compressed air passage, and this pressure acts on the canceller flange of the canceller shaft so as to generate a load towards the rear of the rotary shaft. Therefore, the thrust load is cancelled out.

Abstract: Apparatus is for spacing two relatively rotatable facing surfaces in use by entraining gas between the surfaces. The apparatus includes a first portion defining a generally frusto-conical surface, a second portion including at least one flat surface disposed on a carrier, the flat surface being located adjacent the first portion so that the generally frusto-conical surface and the flat surface face each other and define at least one point of closest engagement between the surfaces, with diverging gaps extending between the surfaces on either side of a plane which contains the point or points of closest engagement and which extends generally orthogonal to the direction of relative rotation, and a device for biasing the flat surface towards the frusto-conical surface to maintain a gap between the surfaces within a predetermined dimensional range. The carrier includes a plurality of portions releasably connected together.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump has a stationary diffuser with a bore. A thrust bearing has a tubular portion that inserts into the bore. The thrust bearing has an external shoulder that contacts a support surface in the bore of the diffuser for transmitting downward thrust from an upstream impeller to the diffuser. The thrust bearing has an internal shoulder for transmitting upward thrust from a downstream impeller to the diffuser.