Bearing assembly and centering support structure therefor

摘要

The bearing assembly (10) is intended for application with rotor shafts in turbomachinery. The bearing assembly (10) includes an annular bearing (12) in which the shaft (15) is disposed and a support structure (14) for supporting the bearing. The bearing support (14) is mounted about and radially supports the bearing (12). The bearing support (14) 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 (H). The centering elements (80) are provided at radially spaced locations around the bearing (12). 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.