Abstract: A method of positioning a bearing of a turbomachine in a squeeze film annulus is disclosed. The method includes providing a bearing in which a rotor shaft is disposed and a bearing support mounted about and radially supporting the bearing, with the bearing support at least in part defining the squeeze film annulus. A further step typically includes providing a plurality of centering elements associated with the bearing and bearing support and acting to center the bearing within the squeeze film annulus, with the centering elements provided at radially spaced locations around the bearing. An additional step in the method may include individually machining or shimming the centering elements to adjust the positioning of the bearing in the squeeze film annulus or to impart pre-load to improve the resiliency of the centering elements.

Abstract: The bearing assembly is intended for application with rotor shafts in turbomachinery. The bearing assembly includes an annular bearing in which the shaft is disposed and a support structure for supporting the bearing. The bearing support is mounted about and radially supports the bearing. The bearing support at least in part defines a squeeze film annulus of the bearing assembly. A plurality of centering elements is associated with the bearing and bearing support and act to center the bearing within the squeeze film annulus. The centering elements are provided at radially spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may also be cylinder springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may additionally be load cell springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. In an alternative embodiment, a singular annular wave spring may be provided in place of the plurality of centering elements.

Abstract: The bearing assembly includes an annular bearing in which the shaft is disposed and a support structure for supporting the bearing. The bearing support is mounted about and radially supports the bearing. The bearing support at least in part defines a squeeze film annulus of the bearing assembly. A plurality of centering elements is associated with the bearing and bearing support and act to center the bearing within the squeeze film annulus. The centering elements are provided at radially spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may also be cylinder springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. The centering elements may additionally be load cell springs provided at uniformly spaced locations around the bearing. In an alternative embodiment, a singular annular wave spring may be provided in place of the plurality of centering elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting axial leakage flow through the clearance between a rotating shaft and a seal stator comprises a stepped shaft surface and seal stator having a plurality of damper sections and being interleaved and adjacent.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting axial flow through the clearance between a rotating shaft and a seal stator comprises an abradable labyrinth seal and swirl-reversal vanes upstream of the labyrinth seal. The shaft comprises a first toothed axial section having a plurality of annular teeth, a second upstream toothed axial section having a few annular teeth from one to three, and a section therebetween having a cylindrical surface of diameter less than the outer edge of the teeth of the toothed sections, the swirl-reversing vanes being fastened to the stator seal between the toothed sections.

Abstract: A support assembly for a rotating shaft utilizing an annular spring is disclosed. A series of support rods are spaced on the interior and exterior sides of an annular spring to define spring segments which act as a spring for supporting the journal. A squeeze film damper cavity may be incorporated either as part of the spring support structure or separately within the assembly to provide the necessary damping.