Abstract: A hybrid bearing assembly includes a bushing. A sleeve is rotationally disposed within the bushing and a support layer is disposed around an outer perimeter of the bushing. A protective sleeve is disposed abutting the sleeve. A protective bushing is disposed abutting the bushing.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing assembly includes a bushing. A sleeve is rotationally disposed within the bushing and a support layer is disposed around an outer perimeter of the bushing. A protective sleeve is disposed abutting the sleeve. A protective bushing is disposed abutting the bushing.

Abstract: A bearing system includes a stationary element, a housing, a shaft, a first and second thrust collars, a first and second bearing units, and a mechanical component. The housing includes a first end portion and a second end portion contacting the stationary element. The shaft and second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The first and second thrust collars are spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first bearing unit is disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of second thrust collar. The first bearing unit contacts the first thrust collar and coupled to the first end portion. The second bearing unit is disposed between a second side of second thrust collar and second end portion. The second bearing unit contacts second thrust collar. The mechanical component extends along the shaft and contacts the second bearing unit and second end portion.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump is provided which has improved vibrational characteristics relative to conventional electric submersible pumps. The improved electric submersible pumps comprise an electric motor mechanically coupled to a pumping section. The improved vibrational characteristics of the electric submersible pump are attributed to the presence of one or more rotor bearings selected from the group consisting of herringbone patterned rotor bearings, pressure dam rotor bearings, circumferential groove rotor bearings, and combinations of two or more of any of the foregoing rotor bearings.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor, where each of the plurality of seal segments includes a stator interface element and a shoe plate movably supported by the stator interface element. The shoe plate includes one or more labyrinth teeth, a load-bearing surface, and one or more supply ports for facilitating supply of high pressure fluid toward the rotor. In one embodiment, the shoe plate also includes a radially extending portion that is in contact with a portion of the ring movably supported into the stator interface element. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of seal segments includes a plurality of overlapping spring-loaded leaf seal plates in contact with the stator interface element and the radially extending portion. Method of operating the seal segment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor, where each of the plurality of seal segments includes a stator interface element and a shoe plate movably supported by the stator interface element. The shoe plate includes one or more labyrinth teeth, a load-bearing surface, and one or more supply ports for facilitating supply of high pressure fluid toward the rotor. In one embodiment, the shoe plate also includes a radially extending portion that is in contact with a portion of the ring movably supported into the stator interface element. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of seal segments includes a plurality of overlapping spring-loaded leaf seal plates in contact with the stator interface element and the radially extending portion. Method of operating the seal segment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for distributing an axial load between load-limiting thrust bearing units is disclosed. The system includes a shaft disposed at least partially within a housing. Further, the system includes a first thrust collar and a second thrust collar axially spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first thrust collar and/or the second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The system further includes a first bearing unit disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of the second thrust collar. The first bearing unit is disposed proximate to the first thrust collar. Further, the system includes a second bearing unit disposed proximate to a second side opposite to the first side of the second thrust collar. The system further includes a mechanical component disposed between the first bearing unit and the second bearing unit.

Abstract: An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A system for distributing an axial load between load-limiting thrust bearing units is disclosed. The system includes a shaft disposed at least partially within a housing. Further, the system includes a first thrust collar and a second thrust collar axially spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first thrust collar and/or the second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The system further includes a first bearing unit disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of the second thrust collar. The first bearing unit is disposed proximate to the first thrust collar. Further, the system includes a second bearing unit disposed proximate to a second side opposite to the first side of the second thrust collar. The system further includes a mechanical component disposed between the first bearing unit and the second bearing unit.

Abstract: Mechanical drive architectures can include a gas turbine having a compressor section, a turbine section, and a combustor section. A load compressor is driven by the gas turbine. A rotor shaft extends through the gas turbine and the load compressor. The rotor shaft has rotating blades arranged in a circumferential array to define a plurality of moving blade rows in the gas turbine and the load compressor. At least one of the rotating blades in one of the gas turbine and the load compressor includes a low-density material. Bearings support the rotor shaft within the gas turbine and the load compressor, wherein at least one of the bearings is a hybrid-type low-loss bearing.

Abstract: A bearing system includes a stationary element, a housing, a shaft, a first and second thrust collars, a first and second bearing units, and a mechanical component. The housing includes a first end portion and a second end portion contacting the stationary element. The shaft and second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The first and second thrust collars are spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first bearing unit is disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of second thrust collar. The first bearing unit contacts the first thrust collar and coupled to the first end portion. The second bearing unit is disposed between a second side of second thrust collar and second end portion. The second bearing unit contacts second thrust collar. The mechanical component extends along the shaft and contacts the second bearing unit and second end portion.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thrust bearing. The bearing includes one or more bearing pads, each with a thrust face, attached to a compliant bearing housing, a system for delivering a pressurized gas lubricant to the thrust face of the bearing pads, and a damping system that operates in parallel with the compliant bearing housing.

Abstract: A journal bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads, and a plurality of bearing pad support assemblies. The bearing housing includes a radial outer wall. The plurality of bearing pads are mounted within the bearing housing, and include at least one of a gas permeable porous media and an array of gas delivery holes. The plurality of bearing pad support assemblies are radially interposed between the bearing pads and the radial outer wall. Each of the bearing pad support assemblies includes a spring assembly and a damper assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bearing having integrally formed parts are provided herein. In some embodiments, a damper assembly of a gas bearing may include a housing having a fluid filled cavity formed therein; a compliant seal disposed within an opening of the cavity to seal the cavity; a damper plunger disposed within the cavity, wherein the damper plunger is movable within the cavity; and a bearing pad disposed outside of the cavity and coupled to the damper plunger, wherein the damper plunger and bearing pad are integrally formed with one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of a bearing having integrally formed parts are provided herein. In some embodiments, a damper assembly of a gas bearing may include a housing having a fluid filled cavity formed therein; a compliant seal disposed within an opening of the cavity to seal the cavity; a damper plunger disposed within the cavity, wherein the damper plunger is movable within the cavity; and a bearing pad disposed outside of the cavity and coupled to the damper plunger, wherein the damper plunger and bearing pad are integrally formed with one another.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thrust bearing. The bearing includes one or more bearing pads, each with a thrust face, attached to a compliant bearing housing, a system for delivering a pressurized gas lubricant to the thrust face of the bearing pads, and a damping system that operates in parallel with the compliant bearing housing.

Abstract: Power train architectures with hybrid-type low-loss bearings and low-density materials are disclosed. The gas turbine used in these architectures can include a compressor section, a turbine section, and a combustor section coupled to the compressor and turbine sections. A generator, coupled to the rotor shaft, is driven by the turbine section. The compressor section, the turbine section, and the generator include rotating components, at least one of which is a low-density material. Bearings support the rotor shaft within the compressor section, the turbine section and the generator, wherein at least one of the bearings is a hybrid-type low-loss bearing.