Abstract: A turbine shaft bearing apparatus in a turbine module includes two axially spaced turbine shaft bearings, including an outlet side bearing protected from overheating by a solid bearing housing which surrounds the outlet side bearing. The bearing housing being provided with a support including conduit for a lubricating medium. The turbine module has plurality of axially spaced turbine wheels connected to a common turbine shaft and coaxial therewith; an inlet through which motive fluid vapor is introduced to a first stage of the turbine wheels; a structured bleeding exit opening formed in an outer turbine casing of the turbine module; and a passage defined between two of the turbine wheels and in fluid communication with the bleeding exit opening, wherein expanded motive fluid vapor may be extracted through the structured bleeding exit opening and supplied to a heat exchange component for heating the motive fluid condensate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a turbine shaft bearing apparatus, comprising two axially spaced, inlet side and outlet side bearings for providing support to a turbine shaft to which are connected a plurality of turbine wheels such that the turbine shaft, the two spaced bearings, and the plurality of turbine wheels are all coaxial, wherein the outlet side bearing is protected from overheating by motive fluid expanded by one or more of the plurality of turbine wheels or stages by a solid bearing housing which surrounds the outlet side bearing which is supported and provided with a conduit through which a lubricating medium for lubricating said outlet side bearing is supplied from a port external to said turbine.