Bearings for submerged machines.

摘要

A bearing for a submerged machine comprises first and second bearing elements. A first bearing element (16) is formed as an insert which fits into a shaft (12) of a turbine (10) of the machine. The second bearing element is an insert (22) which is retained within the housing of the machine. The insert (16) defines a conical recess (18), while the insert (22) defines a complemental conical projection (24). The inserts are made of plastics materials with mutually self lubricating properties. In use, centrifugal forces expel abrasive particles from the interface between the bearing surfaces of the respective inserts, increasing the service life of the bearing.