摘要 |
The disclosure concerns a radial bearing arrangement for a large diameter rotor wherein the rotor carries an annular surface in a peripheral region spaced radially from the axis which cooperates with a series of bearing devices mounted in a foundation. The bearing devices provide reactions in a limited number of main supporting directions and act collectively to restrain the rotor against movement in all radial directions. Not more than two of the bearing devices provide positive, non-yielding restraint in those main directions, whereas the other bearing devices have radially displaceable bearing shoes and furnish yielding holding forces. The arrangement may include one type of yielding bearing device which furnishes a reaction which varies with displacement and affords a centering action, and/or a second type which furnishes a constant reaction during slow displacements and an increased reaction during rapid displacement, and thus affords damping action. In cases where the rotor axis is not vertical, a type of bearing device, which affords a constant reaction regardless of displacement, may be employed to carry the weight of the rotor. |