Abstract: A bladeless pressurized fluid turbine engine having a bladeless turbine, internal, concentric or circumferential shaft fluid ways which transmit pressurized gas to the turbine, and a pressurized fluid intake assembly. The intake assembly has a fixed outer housing, two or more shaft seals sealing between the shaft and the outer housing forming fluid supply chambers between adjacent shaft seals, and a pair of shaft bearings bearing between the shaft and the outer housing. The outer housing has one or more fluid intake ports for each fluid supply chamber and each shaft fluid way has a shaft fluid intake which is hydraulically connected to a fluid supply chamber.

Abstract: A gas friction pump includes stationary (6) and rotatable (5) pump-active elements secured on a rotor shaft (4) and forming with the rotor shaft components of the rotor, with the rotor shaft (4) being supported by two, spaced from each other, radial bearings (8, 9), of which one is located closer to the gravity center of the rotor than the other, and an axial bearing (16), and with the radial bearing (9), which is located closer to the gravity center of the rotor, being formed as a gas bearing, and another radial bearing (8) being formed as a non-gas bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turbine installation, especially a steam turbine installation. The inventive turbine installation comprises at least two partial turbines, each of the partial turbines having a rotor disk that extends along the main axis. Said rotor disks are rigidly interlinked to a shafting. At least one of the partial turbines has an inner housing that concentrically encloses the rotor disk and that is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in a bearing area. To allow for an axial displacement a push element transmits the axial force and is linked with the inner housing. In order to allow the inner housing to be axially displaced as easily as possible, the bearing area has a bearing device with a static friction and/or sliding friction that is so low that the axial misplacement that spontaneously occurs when the static friction is overcome during displacement of the inner housing is smaller 2 mm.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form the pump 1, 200 is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller 100, 204 is entirely sealed within the pump housing 2, 201 and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid 105 urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity 106, 203. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller 100, 204 having deformities therein such as blades 8 with surfaces tapered from the leading edges 102, 223 to the trailing edges 103, 224 of bottom and top edges 221, 222 thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) controls net thrust in a steam turbine (T) in response to changes in the operating condition of the turbine. The turbine includes a thrust bearing (B) positioned between low and intermediate pressure sections (LP, IP) of the turbine and a high pressure section (HP) thereof. Sensors (14) for sense thrust loads on the thrust bearing. A number of control valve (CV1-CV4) are used to balance pressures occurring at locations within the high pressure section of the turbine. A controller (16) is responsive to the sensors sensing a change within the turbine indicative of a significant change in net thrust to energize one or more of the control valves and to adjust the pressure within the high pressure section of the turbine so to maintain net thrust within an acceptable range of thrust values.

Abstract: A method of installing an annular bearing element within a centrifugal pump utilizes a mechanical staking operation. The bearing element locates within a receptacle of a pump stage that is surrounded by a retaining wall. Once the bearing element is located within the retaining wall, the retaining wall is permanently deformed at various points against the bearing element. The bearing element, if of a hard wear resistant metal, may have flats for the circumferentially spaced apart deformations to locate within. The bearing element may be a thrust washer for transmitting downward thrust, or it may be a radial support bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A turbocharger rotor has a turbine wheel and shaft, a compressor wheel and adapter and a separate thrust runner clamped together by a fastener rod. The adapter is piloted on the shaft and the thrust runner is piloted on the adapter, which has annular ends engaging the shaft and adapter for torque transmission between the turbine and compressor wheels. An anti-rotation coupling relates the phase angles of the shaft with the adapter and the thrust runner during assembly. Opposed radial thrust faces on the thrust runner and adapter are disposed at opposite ends of a compressor bearing journal on the adapter to allow placement of mating bearings on a single element of a turbocharger housing. Advantages include simplification of manufacture and assembly of the rotor in a turbocharger housing.

Abstract: The complex mechanical gear trains and lubrication systems of conventional engine configurations are eliminated by using combinations of hydrodynamic air foil bearings, hydrodynamic solid geometry carbon seals/bearings, magnetic bearings, and electrical starter/generators that can also act as bearings to support the high speed shafts of gas turbine engines. The various bearing types and the starter/generators are arranged in such a way as to share peak loads experienced by the engine shaft during maximum aircraft maneuvers. This results in a minimal bearing and engine size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for early fault detection in a centrifugal pump equipped with a balancing device, where the balancing device has an axial gap and optionally at least one radial gap through which a balancing flow is conducted, and with a spring element which acts on the balancing device to hold open the axial gap. Reliable information regarding impending faults is obtained while largely using existing elements by measuring the deformation of the spring element (10, 14) during operation of the centrifugal pump (24), and starting from the pump characteristics of the centrifugal pump (24) and the spring constant of the spring element (10, 14), drawing a conclusion regarding the instantaneous operating state of the centrifugal pump based on the measured deformation.

Abstract: An air turbine starter for use in aircraft or other gas turbine engine applications. In a particular embodiment, the air turbine starter has a thrust bearing having an outer ring, an inner ring, a cage and balls. The outer ring has a first shoulder, a second shoulder and a race surface therebetween to receive the balls. The second shoulder is smaller than the first shoulder. The orientation of the cage is such that the pilot of the cage is aligned to the first shoulder of the outer ring. The raceway curvature of the inner ring, the internal clearance, and clearance between the pilot and outer ring are all increased. An improved thrust bearing is also provided.

Abstract: The reactor for a torque converter of the invention comprises a moulded body (32) able to be mounted around a reactor shaft (36) via freewheel (34), being arranged coaxially between an impeller (12) and a turbine (24) along one and the same axis (X—X). The body (32) of the reactor is moulded in thermoplastic and is overmoulded around an outer ring (50) that the freewheel (34) comprises. Advantageously, the body (32) also comprises an axial thrust bearing (60) on the same side as the impeller and an axial thrust bearing (62) on the same side as the turbine, which thrust bearings are moulded with the body. The invention applies to torque converters intended for the automatic transmissions of motor vehicles.

Abstract: A turbine has a first rotating portion configured to rotate about an axis and a second rotating portion configured to rotate about the same axis. The first rotating portion has a plurality of first fluid outlets, and, the second rotating portion has a plurality of second fluid outlets proximate to the first fluid outlets. The outlets are configured so that when a fluid flows out the first fluid outlets, the first rotating portion rotates in a first sense, and the fluid is forced out the second fluid outlets, thereby causing the second rotating portion to rotate in a sense opposite to the first sense. The first and second rotating portions may be connected to drive an electrical generator. The generator and the rotating portions may all be configured to rotate about a single axis, and may all be supported by bearings.

Abstract: Balancing piston for centrifugal compressors, to control and damp subsynchronous vibrations, comprising a cylindrical body which is secured onto the rotor and a cylindrical structure which contains the body on the stator side with interposition of a seal with small cells wherein the play between the rotor and the stator increased in the direction of the flow of gas through the play.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) controls net thrust in a steam turbine (T) in response to changes in the operating condition of the turbine. The turbine includes a thrust bearing (B) positioned between low and intermediate pressure sections (LP, IP) of the turbine and a high pressure section (HP) thereof. Sensors (14) for sense thrust loads on the thrust bearing. A number of control valve (CV1-CV4) are used to balance pressures occurring at locations within the high pressure section of the turbine. A controller (16) is responsive to the sensors sensing a change within the turbine indicative of a significant change in net thrust to energize one or more of the control valves and to adjust the pressure within the high pressure section of the turbine so to maintain net thrust within an acceptable range of thrust values.

Abstract: A method of installing an annular bearing element within a centrifugal pump utilizes a mechanical staking operation. The bearing element locates within a receptacle of a pump stage that is surrounded by a retaining wall. Once the bearing element is located within the retaining wall, the retaining wall is permanently deformed at various points against the bearing element. The bearing element, if of a hard wear resistant metal, may have flats for the circumferentially spaced apart deformations to locate within. The bearing element may be a thrust washer for transmitting downward thrust, or it may be a radial support bearing sleeve.

Abstract: In order to provide an axial compressor, and a gas bleeding method to the thrust balance disks thereof, which are capable of preventing reduction of the mechanical strength of the thrust balance disks due to excessive heating up by bleed gas, a portion of the fuel gas F, after having passed through the diffuser, is conducted to the thrust balance disks as the bleed gas flow c.

Abstract: In order to provide an axial compressor, and a gas bleeding method to the thrust balance disks thereof, which are capable of preventing reduction of the mechanical strength of the thrust balance disks due to excessive heating up by bleed gas, a portion of the fuel gas F, after having passed through the diffuser, is conducted to the thrust balance disks as the bleed gas flow c.

Abstract: A pump assembly 1, 33, 200 adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form the pump 1, 200 is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller 100, 204 is entirely sealed within the pump housing 2, 201 and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid 105 urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity 106, 203. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller 100, 204 having deformities therein such as blades 8 with surfaces tapered from the leading edges 102, 223 to the trailing edges 103, 224 of bottom and top edges 221, 222 thereof.

Abstract: The blood pump comprises a pump casing (10) in which an impeller (16) is installed without any bearing. Said impeller (16) is rotated via a magnetic coupling (32,36) by an external magnetic driving means (33). The impeller is radially centered via the magnetic coupling (32,36). The lower side (30) of the blades (19) of the impeller is configured as supporting surface (30) sloping towards the trailing end. In this way a hydrodynamical supporting effect is attained during rotation such that the impeller (16) raises from the bottom surface (12) of the pump casing (10). Since no bearings and sealings are provided on the pump casing the danger of thrombosis and the danger of penetration of foreign bodies in the form of abrasive particles into the blood is reduced.

Abstract: A turbo-machine includes a housing (1); a rotor (3) of a centripetally flow-through expansion turbine stage (4) overhung on the one end of the rotor shaft; a rotor of a radially flow-through compressor stage (6) overhung on the other end of the rotor shaft; a measuring system (7) for directly detecting an axial thrust of the rotor shaft (2) supported in roller bearings (8); and at least two pressure control valves (10, 11), which are installed in control lines (12, 13) and controlled by a controller (9). Via the control lines (12, 13), a rotor piston surface (14), which is sealed against the housing (1) and located on the rear side of one of the rotors, for example the compressor rotor (5), can be acted upon by the pressure (p1) prevailing on the inlet into the compressor stage, and the pressure (p2) on the outlet of the compressor stage (6).

Abstract: A device for compensating an axial thrust in a turbomachine is described. A compensating piston is disposed in a compensation chamber and contains at least one radial seal operant between a rotor and a housing of the turbomachine in addition to a running wheel secured to the rotor. An axial seal is provided between a side surface pertaining to the compensating piston and the housing. An axial gap width is variable in the same manner as the axial displacement of the running wheel occurring during operation and the compensating piston is impinged upon by the pressure prevailing in the compensating chamber according to the axial gap width.

Abstract: To avoid formation of condensate or freezing in the tandem gas seals (12, 13) of a gas compressor (1), such as for use in the compression of production of natural gas, when the compressor is temporarily stopped for maintenance or repair of the compressor or instrumentation, the settle out pressure (SOP) in the high pressure gas discharge line (7) from the compressor (1), arising from equalising the inlet and outlet gas pressures, is directed to cause gas to flow through a branch line (25) to the outboard gas seal (13), the gas being heated by an electrical heating coil (28) and its pressure being reduced in a controlled manner. In this way, the gas is prevented from entering its liquid-vapor phase, so that no condensate can form in the inboard and outboard gas seals (12, 13).

Abstract: A friction pump (1), such as turbomolecular pump, includes a steel housing (2) in which a steel shaft (15) is supported by a bearing (16). A rotor (4) with a central bore (21) is mounted on the shaft. In order to reduce the risk of the joint area between the rotor and the shaft becoming loose, a ring groove (26, 31) which encompasses the joint area between the rotor is provided in an area adjacent at least one of the faces of the rotor. A reinforcing ring (34, 35, 38) of a high strength, low thermal expansion material encompasses one of a thrust member (28) and cylindrical rotor sections (32, 37) adjacent the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular submersible pump comprising a motor section, bearing section and a pump section. The motor section includes a motor frame and a motor shaft. The bearing section has a bearing frame removably connected to the motor frame of the motor section. A removable cartridge is disposed within the bearing frame and has a shaft extension connected to the motor shaft. The cartridge includes at least one bearing and at least one seal in communication with the shaft extension. The pump section has a pump case removably connected to the bearing frame and having an impeller disposed therein. The impeller is connected to the shaft extension of the removable cartridge.

Abstract: A compressor in a turbocharger has a compressor impeller in an inflow passage and an outflow region downstream of the compressor-impeller outlet edge. The outflow region is assigned a connecting passage, a stabilizing chamber and an outflow passage, the connecting passage being arranged with a lateral offset with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the stabilizing chamber.

Abstract: A balancing arrangement which is used to relieve or take up axial thrust in a multistage centrifugal pump, having a balancing device with at least one axial gap (8) and at least one radial gap (6,7) and in which a balancing flow is conducted through the gaps, and having an axial bearing which receives remaining axial thrust. Associated with the axial bearing is a cardanic ring (10) which serves to offset alignment errors. Highly reliable operation with only low leakage losses is achieved by configuring the balancing device such that a residual thrust in the direction of the suction side of the pump exists in all operating conditons and the cardanic ring is designed such that it is elastically deformed by the residual thrust and has a spring constant such that the axial gap (s) will close from a maximum width position when the pump is at rest to a minimum width position during operation while still avoiding contact between the surfaces which define the axial gap.

Abstract: A turbo-compressor having a housing and at least one rotor shaft pivotably supported in the housing, with a free shaft end and with a rotor connected with the other end of the rotor shaft. The free end of the rotor shaft facing away from the rotor projects into a pressure chamber connected with the housing, and is acted upon by a pressurized fluid whose force of pressure compensates for the force of the axial thrust acting on the rotor. Thus, the starting friction of the compressor is lower and drive motors of lower output target can be utilized.

Abstract: Balancing piston for centrifugal compressors, to control and damp subsynchronous vibrations, comprising a cylindrical body which is keyed onto the rotor and a cylindrical structure which contains the body on the stator side with interposition of a seal with small cells wherein the play between the rotor and the stator increases in the direction of the flow of gas through the play.

Abstract: A device for compensating an axial thrust in a turbomachine is described. A compensating piston is disposed in a compensation chamber and contains at least one radial seal operant between a rotor and a housing of the turbomachine in addition to a running wheel secured to the rotor. An axial seal is provided between a side surface pertaining to the compensating piston and the housing. An axial gap width is variable in the same manner as the axial displacement of the running wheel occurring during operation and the compensating piston is impinged upon by the pressure prevailing in the compensating chamber according to the axial gap width.

Abstract: A fuel pump for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a shrouded rotor member, and an inlet post member, wherein fluid is axially supplied along the pump centerline and then radially discharged at a first pressure to the interior chamber of the pump housing, at the base portion of vane elements associated with the rotor, thereby contacting the vane elements at a minimum angular velocity and angle of incidence. Also disclosed is a single bearing arrangement for eccentrically supporting a shrouded rotor member.

Abstract: An orifice plate assembly for a gas turbine engine that facilitates extending a useful life of bearing assemblies within the gas turbine engine is described. Each orifice plate assembly is coupled in flow communication with an engine air source, and includes a first body portion and a second body portion. The first body portion includes a channel and a flow opening. The channel is sized to receive the second body portion, such that the second body portion may slide with respect to the first body portion. The orifice plate assembly is adjustable after engine shutdown to regulate bearing loading.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating over-pressure gas by means of a kinetic compressor which is coupled to a high-speed electric machine located on the same shaft with the compressor and comprising a rotor whose rotational speed is over 20,000 rpm. The compressor is provided with at least two stages. The shaft of the rotor is mounted on a magnetic and/or gas bearings, and the high-speed electric machine is placed centrally on the shaft with respect to the compressor stage of the compressor. The rotor is mounted on a magnetic bearing at least in the axial direction, and the ends of the rotor are used at least partly as counter surfaces for the axial magnetic bearing.

Abstract: An improved pump shell for a multistage metal working pump includes a plurality of pump shell units housed in series within a hollow cylindrical casing and has the impellers driven by a shaft. Each pump shell unit has a inner shell which forms a holding end at one side and a sealing flange at another side. The holding end of one pump shell may align and engage precisely and easily with the sealing flange of an adjacent pump shell unit to form a smooth fluid passage from the inlet of the impeller through the inner shell so that pumping efficiency may be enhanced with less turbulence. The sealing flange, holding end and the casing also form a close annular compartment for holding a seal ring inside to provide effective sealing function. The pump shell may be produced by stamping at low cost.

Abstract: A thrust compensation apparatus for high-speed rotating machinery includes an electromagnetic thrust bearing having a thrust rotor and a thrust stator, a first chamber filled with a pressurized medium on one side of the bearing, and a second chamber on the other side of the bearing. The pressure differential across the bearing augments the electromagnetic force between the rotor and stator in order to counteract the axial thrust load of the high-speed rotating machinery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a centrifugal compressor structure including impellers, each of the impellers including a hub coupled to a drive shaft, a plurality of blades provided at a front surface of the hub and adapted to compress an external fluid while forcing the fluid to flow from an upstream end of the hub to a downstream end of the hub, and a plurality of uniformly-shaped pressure attenuating grooves provided at an outer peripheral edge of the hub and adapted to reduce an axial load applied to the impeller. The formation of the pressure attenuating grooves are carried out without any variation in the size and length of each blade serving as important factors for adjusting the fluid compression degree of the impeller, so that thrust bearings adapted to support an axial load are effectively protected, thereby eliminating problems resulting from the thrust bearings.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure booster includes a housing having a pump portion, a shaft portion and a turbine portion. The pump portion has a pump inlet and a pump outlet. The turbine portion has a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet. The turbine portion and pump portion are fluidically separated by the shaft portion. A shaft is supported by a bearing within the shaft support portion. The shaft extends between the pump portion and turbine portion and has a pump impeller and a turbine impeller located in its respective portion. The shaft defines an axis of the housing. A thrust load reducer is provided within the turbine portion to reduce axial thrust toward the thrust bearing.

Abstract: A turboexpander associated with a rotary compressor by means of a rotor shaft connecting the two. A bearing housing includes magnetic radial and thrust bearings which control the placement and dynamics of the shaft within the housing. A control passageway extends from the inlet of the compressor to the gas cavity behind the compressor rotor. This passage is controlled by a valve and in turn by the magnetic bearing controller to augment the operation of the active magnetic thrust bearings.

Abstract: A pump has a thrust bearing has a casing with an inlet port and a discharge port. A shaft is positioned within the pump. A thrust bearing is coupled to the shaft. A pressure alterable bearing cavity is located within the casing. The pressure alterable cavity allows the axial thrust on the shaft from the impellers to be counteracted. The thrust bearing has an annular seal coupled with respect to the casing disc is coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent the seal. The seal and the disc have a gap therebetween. A feedback pipe couples the bearing cavity to the inlet port. As the axial thrust acting on the shaft changes, the gap between the seal and the disc also changes. The changing of the gap changes the pressure within the bearing cavity. The disc and thus the shaft are repositioned in response to the change in the bearing cavity pressure change.

Abstract: A fuel pump for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes a pump housing, a shrouded rotor member, and an inlet post member, wherein fluid is axially supplied along the pump centerline and then radially discharged at a first pressure to the interior chamber of the pump housing, at the base portion of vane elements associated with the rotor, thereby contacting the vane elements at a minimum angular velocity and angle of incidence. Also disclosed is a single bearing arrangement for eccentrically supporting a shrouded rotor member.

Abstract: This invention relates to rotary pumps adapted, but not exclusively, for use as artificial hearts or ventricular assist devices and, in particular, discloses in preferred forms a seal-less shaft-less pump featuring open or closed (shrouded) impeller blades with the edges of the blades used as hydrodynamic thrust bearings and with electromagnetic torque provided by the interaction between magnets embedded in the blades and a rotating current pattern generated in coils fixed relative to the pump housing.

Abstract: A microturbine engine core with gas bearings used to support a rotating group is provided, including air flow control devices downstream of the gas bearings to maintain high pressures. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention contemplates an internally reinforced high-speed magnetic thrust disk. In one embodiment the internally reinforced composite thrust disk comprises a plurality of high strength fibers coupled together by a soft magnetic alloy. Further, in one aspect the disk having internally reinforced zones for controlling bore growth and counteracting forces associated with the reaction between the stator and the rotor of the electromagnetic thrust bearing system.

Abstract: A flow channel and pressure equalizing sections introduce a fluid having substantially no angular momentum into a thrust balance chamber of a thrust balance device. The introduction of this fluid reduces the angular momentum of the fluid in the thrust balance chamber, facilitating the discharge of fluid out of the thrust balance chamber through a variable orifice. The thrust balance chamber exerts a variable pressure onto a rear surface of an impeller of a centrifugal pump. This pressure prevents significant displacement of the impeller during pump operation. The result is a centrifugal pump having good thrust balance properties regardless of flow rate and impeller speed.

Abstract: A flow metering turbine comprises a tubular body through which flows the fluid to be measured. The tubular body houses an upstream spider and a downstream spider each formed by a hub and fixed vanes, bearing the hub in the tubular body. The mutually facing ends of the hubs have a cavity on the axis of the tubular body for receiving a support bearing and thrust bearing. A screw member formed by a hub bearing vanes and a shaft is located between the spiders, the ends of the shaft being located in the support bearings of the spiders and against the thrust bearings. At least one fluid duct runs through each spider, opening into the cavity in line with the support bearing and thrust bearing.

Abstract: A submersible centrifugal pump is claimed which includes an inner downthrust washer for receiving the downthrust load from the upward movement of the produced fluid, and an outer sealing washer, which is a non-load bearing washer, for allowing the repositioning of the impeller to prevent gaps that create recirculation.

Abstract: A turbine plant, in particular a steam-turbine plant, includes at least two turbine sections, each having a turbine rotor extending along a main axis and an inner casing accommodating guide blades. At least one inner casing is displaceable in axial direction and a thermally expanding thrust element is provided for an axial displacement. The trust element has first and second expansion components connected to one another by a coupling component. The coupling component mechanically and/or hydraulically produces an axial displacement of the second expansion component which is greater than a thermal expansion and/or axial displacement of the first expansion component. A thrust element for reducing different axial expansions between two components expandable independently of one another along a main axis, is also provided.

Abstract: A turbine engine having interior cavity sealed by a thermally controlled valve is disclosed. The cavity is defined by at least one cylindrical wall portion. The valve comprises an opening in the cylindrical wall portion and a cylindrical band, coaxial and interior to the wall portion. The cylindrical band is made of material having a higher thermal coefficient of expansion than the wall portion. As the temperature of the engine increases, the band expands at a higher rate than the wall, thereby sealing the valve. As the temperature decreases, the band contracts thereby opening the valve. The valve may be used to permit a cavity to be pressurized at low temperatures. The pressure in the cavity may exert a forward load on a thrust bearing, suspending the engine shaft.

Abstract: A submergible, centrifugal pump utilizes an improved bushing system for absorbing downthrust at each stage of the pump. The centrifugal pump is a multi-stage pump having a plurality of impellers keyed to a rotatable shaft. Diffusers cooperate with the impellers to conduct the pumped fluid upwardly from one impeller to the next. The improved support system comprises simple diffuser bushings that are generally cylindrical in shape, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Each diffuser bushing is disposed between a diffuser and the next upwardly sequential impeller to support that impeller with respect to the downthrust created during pumping.

Abstract: A pump assembly for conventionally driven centrifugal pumps having a rolling element comprised of product lubricated ceramic or hybrid anti-friction bearings. The ceramic bearings are comprised of ceramic balls and ceramic races, whereas the hybrid bearings are comprised of ceramic balls with races made of another material. The ability of these bearings to perform well with poor lubrication allows the fluid that is being pumped to be used to lubricate and cool the bearings. An alternate embodiment comprises a double suction pump with the same durability and cost saving advantages.

Abstract: In a turbine construction which includes a rotor having at least one radial step formed therein, and at least one packing ring assembly mounted in a stationary turbine component and axially spanning the radial step, a thrust balancing arrangement for the rotor which includes an axial passage in the stationary component extending from a high pressure side of the stationary component and in fluid communication with an area adjacent the radial step on the rotor. A removable restrictor in the passage permits adjustment of the step thrust.