TURBO-COMPRESSOR APPARATUS

摘要

TURBO-COMPRESSOR APPARATUS A turbo-compressor apparatus in which the turbine section and the compressor section are placed back-to-back. A non-rotating shaft axially supported in the apparatus supports an anti-friction bearing which, in turn, rotationally support a rotor assembly. A separating member preferably comprised of a material of low thermal conductivity is provided between the turbine section and the compressor section. A fully floating, non-rotating sleeve bearing incorporating both thrust and radial surfaces is allowed to float freely on the shaft. Thus, thrust forces from the spinning rotor are initially absorbed at the large radial bearing surfaces located at approximately the center of the bearing and are thereby transferred to the small areas at either end of the sleeve bearing. The thrust forces are finally transferred from the sleeve bearing to the stationary shaft. The mechanically locked sleeve bearing also serves to retain the rotor on the stationary shaft. In the preferred embodiment, the stationary shaft is supported at only one of its ends, the unsupported end extending into a cylindrical opening in the rotor assembly which opening may be a blind hole. The sleeve bearing has opening which receive rotation preventing means extending from the shaft.