Method and apparatus for lubricating turbine bearings

摘要

A method and apparatus for supplying lubricant to turbine bearings during normal and abnormal operating modes. A pump coupled to the turbine's rotor discharges lubricant during normal turbine operating modes through an ejector from its inlet port through its outlet port. The lubricant transmitted to the ejector's inlet port is mixed with lubricant withdrawn from a lubricant reservoir during its transmission through the ejector and such mixture is discharged from the ejector's outlet port at a supply pressure. The lubricant mixture is routed to the turbine bearings and the lubricant pump's suction side. When the supply pressure falls below a predetermined value, a clutch is engaged which couples a constant speed drive input linkage to the turbine rotor. The constant speed drive also has an output linkage whose speed is maintained at a constant predetermined value for varying rates of speed on the input linkage. The output linkage is coupled either to an auxiliary lubricant pump or an electrical generator. The auxiliary lubricant pump discharges lubricant into the inlet port of the ejector and takes suction from the outlet port of the ejector. Electricity generated by the electrical generator operates an electrical motor which drives an auxiliary lubricant pump which takes suction from the lubricant reservoir and discharges the lubricant to the turbine bearings.