Abstract:
A journal bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads, and a plurality of bearing pad support assemblies. The bearing housing includes a radial outer wall. The plurality of bearing pads are mounted within the bearing housing, and include at least one of a gas permeable porous media and an array of gas delivery holes. The plurality of bearing pad support assemblies are radially interposed between the bearing pads and the radial outer wall. Each of the bearing pad support assemblies includes a spring assembly and a damper assembly.
Abstract:
An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.
Abstract:
Provided herein is a thrust bearing. The bearing includes one or more bearing pads, each with a thrust face, attached to a compliant bearing housing, a system for delivering a pressurized gas lubricant to the thrust face of the bearing pads, and a damping system that operates in parallel with the compliant bearing housing.
Abstract:
A journal bearing assembly includes a bearing housing, a plurality of bearing pads, and a plurality of bearing pad support assemblies. The bearing housing includes a radial outer wall. The plurality of bearing pads are mounted within the bearing housing, and include at least one of a gas permeable porous media and an array of gas delivery holes. The plurality of bearing pad support assemblies are radially interposed between the bearing pads and the radial outer wall. Each of the bearing pad support assemblies includes a spring assembly and a damper assembly.
Abstract:
A hermetically sealed damper assembly includes a sealed damper housing, a plunger, and a load transferring member coupled to the plunger. The sealed damper housing includes a body having a cavity and a resistive flow path defined therein. The cavity and resistive flow path are filled with a viscous fluid. The body includes a plurality of springs integrally formed therein. The plunger is disposed within the cavity, and separates the cavity into a first control volume and a second control volume. The resistive flow path provides fluid communication between the first and second control volumes. The plunger is coupled to the damper housing by the plurality of springs such that the springs provide a restorative force to the plunger. The load transferring member is configured to transmit mechanical loads to the plunger.
Abstract:
An electric submersible pump is provided which has improved vibrational characteristics relative to conventional electric submersible pumps. The improved electric submersible pumps comprise an electric motor mechanically coupled to a pumping section. The improved vibrational characteristics of the electric submersible pump are attributed to the presence of one or more rotor bearings selected from the group consisting of herringbone patterned rotor bearings, pressure dam rotor bearings, circumferential groove rotor bearings, and combinations of two or more of any of the foregoing rotor bearings.
Abstract:
A bearing system includes a stationary element, a housing, a shaft, a first and second thrust collars, a first and second bearing units, and a mechanical component. The housing includes a first end portion and a second end portion contacting the stationary element. The shaft and second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The first and second thrust collars are spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first bearing unit is disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of second thrust collar. The first bearing unit contacts the first thrust collar and coupled to the first end portion. The second bearing unit is disposed between a second side of second thrust collar and second end portion. The second bearing unit contacts second thrust collar. The mechanical component extends along the shaft and contacts the second bearing unit and second end portion.
Abstract:
An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a bearing configured to couple to an anode. The bearing includes a stationary member, a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube, and a support feature configured to minimize bending moment along a surface of the stationary member to reduce deflection of the stationary member relative to the rotary member due to radial loads during operation of the X-ray tube.
Abstract:
A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes a plurality of seal segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor, where each of the plurality of seal segments includes a stator interface element and a shoe plate movably supported by the stator interface element. The shoe plate includes one or more labyrinth teeth, a load-bearing surface, and one or more supply ports for facilitating supply of high pressure fluid toward the rotor. In one embodiment, the shoe plate also includes a radially extending portion that is in contact with a portion of the ring movably supported into the stator interface element. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of seal segments includes a plurality of overlapping spring-loaded leaf seal plates in contact with the stator interface element and the radially extending portion. Method of operating the seal segment is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A system for distributing an axial load between load-limiting thrust bearing units is disclosed. The system includes a shaft disposed at least partially within a housing. Further, the system includes a first thrust collar and a second thrust collar axially spaced apart from each other and coupled to the shaft. The first thrust collar and/or the second thrust collar are disposed within the housing. The system further includes a first bearing unit disposed between the first thrust collar and a first side of the second thrust collar. The first bearing unit is disposed proximate to the first thrust collar. Further, the system includes a second bearing unit disposed proximate to a second side opposite to the first side of the second thrust collar. The system further includes a mechanical component disposed between the first bearing unit and the second bearing unit.