Abstract: A thrust bearing for a rotating machine has a rotating ring and a bearing shoe for use in a non-filled oil chamber that permits oil flow through the bearing shoe. The oil flows out a leading recessed groove in the bearing shoe and across the bearing shoe surface. This permits for the oil flow to cool the bearing shoe and maintain lubrication between the bearing shoe and the rotating ring. Further, the non-filled oil chamber acts more as an oil collection chamber which provides two distinct advantages. One advantage is a reduction in bearing losses not present due to the elimination of swirling of the oil bath. The other advantage is one of servicing by the ability to inspect the bearings and all oil conduit connections without being encumbered by oil partially covering or surrounding the bearing shoe.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a stator member, a rotor member, a first shroud and a second shroud. The first shroud and the second shroud members are mounted to the rotor adjacent respective first and second end portions of the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The first and second shrouds extend radially over and are spaced from the respective radially extending first and second end portions of the rotor to respectively define radial inlet and outlet paths therewith. The first and second shrouds each have a first radially inner end adjacent and spaced from the shaft to define a gas inlet or outlet, respectively, and a second radial outer end mounted to the rotor adjacent and spaced apart the ventilation ducts for communicating gas between the ventilation ducts and the inlet and outlet paths. The second outlet shroud is spaced further from the shaft than the inlet shroud so as to facilitate the gas flowing in the inlet shroud and out the outlet shroud during normal machine operation.

Abstract: An electrical current collector system (20) comprises a rotatable shaft (28) having at least one and preferably plural electrically conductive slip rings (27) mounted thereon. For each phase, a slip ring is paired with a fixed conducting ring assembly (44). The fixed conducting ring assembly forms an envelope within which slip ring-contacting members are situated. The slip ring-contacting members can take many forms, including brushes (240) or rollers (404). The fixed conducting ring assembly comprises a first conducting plate (200T) and a second conducting plate (200B) positioned parallel to one another to form a conductive ring channel (220) therebetween. The slip ring-contacting members (240, 404) are mounted in the conductive ring channel. An at least partially transparent wall (200W) extends between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate of the fixed conducting ring assembly to further define the conductive ring channel and permit visual inspection of the slip ring-contacting members.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for a rotating machine has a rotating ring and a bearing shoe for use in a non-filled oil chamber that permits oil flow through the bearing shoe. The oil flows out a leading recessed groove in the bearing shoe and across the bearing shoe surface. This permits for the oil flow to cool the bearing shoe and maintain lubrication between the bearing shoe and the rotating ring. Further, the non-filled oil chamber acts more as an oil collection chamber which provides two distinct advantages. One advantage is a reduction in bearing losses not present due to the elimination of swirling of the oil bath. The other advantage is one of servicing by the ability to inspect the bearings and all oil conduit connections without being encumbered by oil partially covering or surrounding the bearing shoe.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine has a stator member, a rotor member, a first shroud and a second shroud. The first shroud and the second shroud members are mounted to the rotor adjacent respective first and second end portions of the rotor for rotation with the rotor. The first and second shrouds extend radially over and are spaced from the respective radially extending first and second end portions of the rotor to respectively define radial inlet and outlet paths therewith. The first and second shrouds each have a first radially inner end adjacent and spaced from the shaft to define a gas inlet or outlet, respectively, and a second radial outer end mounted to the rotor adjacent and spaced apart the ventilation ducts for communicating gas between the ventilation ducts and the inlet and outlet paths. The second outlet shroud is spaced further from the shaft than the inlet shroud so as to facilitate the gas flowing in the inlet shroud and out the outlet shroud during normal machine operation.