Abstract: A mechanical device is provided for amplifying relative displacement between first and second mechanical structures operatively connected to opposite sides of a bearing. The relative displacement is caused by a thrust load on the bearing. The device includes a first bracket portion attachable to the first mechanical structure. The device further includes a compliant mechanism which extends from the first bracket portion to make contact with the second mechanical structure. The compliant mechanism is configured such that a measurement end of the mechanism moves in response to relative displacement between the first and second mechanical structures. The compliant mechanism is further configured such that the movement of the measurement end amplifies the relative displacement. The device further includes a sensor which measures the mechanically amplified movement of the measurement end.

Abstract: A bearing load sharing system comprising: first and second rotors extending in an axial direction; a first thrust bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to the first rotor; a second thrust bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to the second rotor; and an inter-rotor bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to one of the first and second rotor and the outer race connected to the other of the first and second rotor; wherein the outer race of the first bearing and/or the outer race of the second bearing is movable to vary the axial spacing between the outer races.

Abstract: Load sharing stacked bearing structure including first bearing having a first inner race, first outer race and first set of roller elements housed between first inner race and first outer race and a second bearing having a second inner race, second outer race and second set of roller elements housed between second inner race and the second outer race. A housing surrounds the first and second bearings. First compliant element is provided with the first compliant element connected between the housing and the first outer race. The first compliant element, first outer race and housing define at a pressure chamber. The first outer race axially slidable relative to the second outer race such that an increase in pressure in pressure chamber causes a change in axial spacing between the outer races. This induces an additional axial load on the bearings which helps balance thrust load sharing.

Abstract: Bearing apparatus comprising: an inner race; an outer race; a roller element positioned between the inner race and the outer race; a first sensor to sense displacement of one of: the inner race, the outer race, and the roller element, and to provide a first signal for the sensed displacement to enable a load on the bearing apparatus to be determined.

Abstract: A method of determining the axial load on load-sharing thrust bearings including: providing first and second thrust bearings, each including an inner race and an outer race supported by at least one resilient element; applying a test axial load to each of the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the at least one resilient element so as to axially displace the outer race; determining the test axial displacement of each outer race to obtain calibration data comprising values of axial load versus axial displacement; applying an in-service axial load to the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the resilient elements so as to axially displace the respective outer races; measuring the in-service axial displacement of each outer race; and based on the measured in-service axial displacements, inferring from the calibration data the values of the in-service axial loads on the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement includes: first and second thrust bearings, arranged on a shaft and including respective first and second pressure faces; and a hydraulic connection, connecting the first and second thrust bearings and having a non-compressible fluid. Applying a shaft thrust load axially moves the first thrust bearing so that the first pressure face displaces the non-compressible fluid from the first thrust bearing to the second thrust bearing so as to apply a reaction force to the second pressure face, in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: A mechanical device is provided for amplifying relative displacement between first and second mechanical structures operatively connected to opposite sides of a bearing. The relative displacement is caused by a thrust load on the bearing. The device includes a first bracket portion attachable to the first mechanical structure. The device further includes a compliant mechanism which extends from the first bracket portion to make contact with the second mechanical structure. The compliant mechanism is configured such that a measurement end of the mechanism moves in response to relative displacement between the first and second mechanical structures. The compliant mechanism is further configured such that the movement of the measurement end amplifies the relative displacement. The device further includes a sensor which measures the mechanically amplified movement of the measurement end.

Abstract: A method of determining the axial load on load-sharing thrust bearings including: providing first and second thrust bearings, each including an inner race and an outer race supported by at least one resilient element; applying a test axial load to each of the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the at least one resilient element so as to axially displace the outer race; determining the test axial displacement of each outer race to obtain calibration data comprising values of axial load versus axial displacement; applying an in-service axial load to the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the resilient elements so as to axially displace the respective outer races; measuring the in-service axial displacement of each outer race; and based on the measured in-service axial displacements, inferring from the calibration data the values of the in-service axial loads on the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement comprises: first and second thrust bearings, each including an inner race which is disposed on a shaft and an outer race which is supported by at least one resilient element. Applying a shaft thrust load elastically deforms the resilient elements so as to axially displace the respective outer races in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: Bearing structure including a first bearing, surrounded by a housing, having a first inner and outer race and first set of rolling elements between the inner and outer races and a second bearing having a second inner and outer race and second set of rolling elements between the second inner and outer races. A first compliant element is connected to the first outer race. A rigid diaphragm is connected to the first outer race between the compliant element and outer race, and is connected to the housing at its outer end. The first compliant element, outer race and rigid diaphragm at least partly define a pressure chamber. The first outer race is axially slidable relative to the second such that a pressure increase in the chamber changes the axial spacing between the first and second outer races, inducing additional axial load on the bearings which helps balance thrust load sharing.

Abstract: Bearing structure including a first bearing, surrounded by a housing, having a first inner and outer race and first set of rolling elements between the inner and outer races and a second bearing having a second inner and outer race and second set of rolling elements between the second inner and outer races. A first compliant element is connected to the first outer race. A rigid diaphragm is connected to the first outer race between the compliant element and outer race, and is connected to the housing at its outer end. The first compliant element, outer race and rigid diaphragm at least partly define a pressure chamber. The first outer race is axially slidable relative to the second such that a pressure increase in the chamber changes the axial spacing between the first and second outer races, inducing additional axial load on the bearings which helps balance thrust load sharing.

Abstract: A bearing load sharing system comprising: first and second rotors extending in an axial direction; a first thrust bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to the first rotor; a second thrust bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to the second rotor; and an inter-rotor bearing having an inner race and an outer race, the inner race connected to one of the first and second rotor and the outer race connected to the other of the first and second rotor; wherein the outer race of the first bearing and/or the outer race of the second bearing is movable to vary the axial spacing between the outer races.

Abstract: Load sharing stacked bearing structure including first bearing having a first inner race, first outer race and first set of roller elements housed between first inner race and first outer race and a second bearing having a second inner race, second outer race and second set of roller elements housed between second inner race and the second outer race. A housing surrounds the first and second bearings. First compliant element is provided with the first compliant element connected between the housing and the first outer race. The first compliant element, first outer race and housing define at a pressure chamber. The first outer race axially slidable relative to the second outer race such that an increase in pressure in pressure chamber causes a change in axial spacing between the outer races. This induces an additional axial load on the bearings which helps balance thrust load sharing.

Abstract: Bearing apparatus comprising: an inner race; an outer race; a roller element positioned between the inner race and the outer race; a first sensor to sense displacement of one of: the inner race, the outer race, and the roller element, and to provide a first signal for the sensed displacement to enable a load on the bearing apparatus to be determined.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement comprises: first and second thrust bearings, each including an inner race which is disposed on a shaft and an outer race which is supported by at least one resilient element. Applying a shaft thrust load elastically deforms the resilient elements so as to axially displace the respective outer races in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: A bearing arrangement includes: first and second thrust bearings, arranged on a shaft and including respective first and second pressure faces; and a hydraulic connection, connecting the first and second thrust bearings and having a non-compressible fluid. Applying a shaft thrust load axially moves the first thrust bearing so that the first pressure face displaces the non-compressible fluid from the first thrust bearing to the second thrust bearing so as to apply a reaction force to the second pressure face, in order that the thrust load is shared between the first and second thrust bearings.

Abstract: An exhaust arrangement for an internal combustion engine. The exhaust arrangement includes a diffuser duct including a wall surface which diverges between an inlet and a first outlet. The arrangement further includes an auxiliary duct extending from a second outlet of the diffuser duct. The second diffuser duct outlet being located on the wall surface between the diffuser duct inlet and the first outlet. The auxiliary duct includes a heat recovery device configured to convert heat energy from exhaust gases passing through the auxiliary duct in use to mechanical or electrical energy.

Abstract: An exhaust arrangement for an internal combustion engine. The exhaust arrangement includes a diffuser duct including a wall surface which diverges between an inlet and a first outlet. The arrangement further includes an auxiliary duct extending from a second outlet of the diffuser duct. The second diffuser duct outlet being located on the wall surface between the diffuser duct inlet and the first outlet. The auxiliary duct includes a heat recovery device configured to convert heat energy from exhaust gases passing through the auxiliary duct in use to mechanical or electrical energy.