Abstract: In a rotating shaft machine, the rotating shaft is usually equipped with a thrust collar which cooperates with stationary thrust bearings on either side of the thrust collar to prevent excessive axial movement of the rotating shaft. Lubrication is furnished to each bearing to protect the bearing as the shaft migrates toward that bearing. Prior art lubrication systems provided either equal amounts of lubrication fluid to equal sized bearings or a lesser amount of lubrication fluid to a smaller thrust bearing. It has been discovered that the total flow requirement for lubrication fluid can be reduced by using a lubrication fluid distribution means which tracks the position of the thrust collar and provides lubrication in response to the position of the thrust collar relative to the thrust bearings.

Abstract: An anisotropic bearing support for a high-speed rotor includes at least two support devices having different values of stiffness. The two support devices act at substantially the same point on the perimeter of the rotor along radial directions which are angularly spaced apart from each other. The resulting anisotropic bearing support reduces the incidence and severity of rotor vibration and improves rotor stability.

Abstract: A shaft vibration evaluator employs measured displacement of a shaft in the vicinity of a bearing together with known or measured shaft eccentricity to calculate the dynamic bearing load so that damaging loads can be avoided. Shaft vibration or motion is assumed to be elliptical having major and minor axes which are inclined at angles with respect to the bearing displacement sensors. The magnitude of the major and minor axes and the angular displacement are calculated from the measured parameters and provide one set of inputs to the load calculator. Bearing eccentricity can be calculated from a knowledge of shaft speed, lubricant temperature and known bearing geometry. For a given eccentricity, a set of four damping coefficients and four spring coefficients of the bearing may be derived. These coefficients are the remaining inputs to the dynamic load calculator.

Abstract: A low axial stiffnesss thrust bearing is disclosed. The thrust bearing includes a housing having a generally cylindrical space formed therein and a generally cylindrical thrust collar located coaxially within the space. The axial length of the cylindrical space is sufficiently greater than the axial length of the thrust collar to permit the thrust collar to move axially within the cylindrical space over a predetermined distance and to insure that first and second fluid chambers are formed on opposite sides of the thrust collar when the thrust collar is located centrally within the cylindrical space. A fluid circuit supplies fluid under pressure to the first and second chambers in such a manner that the fluid attempts to maintain the thrust collar at a predetermined axial location within the space even when external thrust forces are placed on the thrust collar.

Abstract: An arrangement for minimizing blockage of drain back holes from bearing housings seal cavity areas is provided. Leakage drain tubes, made of high thermal conductivity material, are positioned in the path of lube oil drain flow and serve to carry leakage oil from seal air cavities back to the lube oil drain flow path. The leakage drain tubes are cooled by the lubricating oil in the drain flow path, extending from the sump to the oil drain pipe and include flow restrictor portions at their ends to minimize hot gas leakage around the labyrinth seal.

Abstract: A low axial stiffness thrust bearing is disclosed. The thrust bearing includes a housing having a generally cylindrical space formed therein and a generally cylindrical thrust collar located coaxially within the space. The axial length of the cylindrical space is sufficiently greater than the axial length of the thrust collar to permit the thrust collar to move axially within the cylindrical space over a predetermined distance and to insure that first and second fluid chambers are formed on opposite sides of the thrust collar when the thrust collar is located centrally within the cylindrical space. A fluid circuit supplies fluid under pressure to the first and second chambers in such a manner that the fluid attempts to maintain the thrust collar at a predetermined axial location within the space even when external thrust forces are placed on the thrust collar.

Abstract: A journal bearing for rotatably supporting a turbomachinery shaft is supported by a housing which defines a sump chamber around the bearing. Means are provided to deliver a flow of lubricating fluid to the journal bearing and to sequentially or serially spray or impinge the lubricating fluid, after use for lubricating purposes, against the inner wall surface of the housing to thereby provide cooling for the bearing sump without increasing the flow of lubricating fluid beyond that required for bearing lubrication.