HYDROSTATICALLY SUPPORTED TILTING PAD JOURNAL BEARING IMPROVEMENTS

摘要

A tilting pad journal bearing (10) has a shell (18) with an inner surface (48) which is dimensionally coincident with, yet slightly larger than, the geometry of the outer surface (44) of its bearing pads (16). The pads (16) are provided with ramps (50) on opposite radial edges (46) to engage at least one pad stop (30). The pads (16) have a conduit (64) for passing lubricant such that when the shaft (12) rotates, a hydrodynamic lubricant film is generated placing a hydrostatic pressure between the pads (16) and the shell (18) the pressure measured by at least one pressure sensor (68) which in turn provides an indication of direct loading of the bearing by the shaft.