US3644053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water turbines
Assignee: English Electric Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1970-07-17
•
Granted: 1972-02-22
•
Expires: 1990-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An axial flow water turbine comprises a runner disposed for rotation in a water flow tube and carrying a peripheral drive member such as an electrical generator rotor. The runner is mounted on a stub shaft carried by an upstream supporting structure. The stub shaft is provided with discrete resiliently mounted bearing pads between which and the runner hydrostatic lubrication can be provided. Preferably the stub shaft is hollow and each bearing pad is disposed in a recess formed in the stub shaft, the recess being provided with a detachable backing plate. Thus each pad can be withdrawn radially inwardly into the stub shaft and can be inspected or replaced without necessitating removal of the runner from the stub shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Braikevitch
- 👤 Emil Goldwag
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:34
CPC Classifications
F; F03; F03B; F03B13/00; F03B13/08; F03B13/083; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An axial water flow machine including: a water flow tube; a runner disposed within the tube for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and adapted to carry a peripheral drive member; a supporting structure disposed axially to one side of the runner for supporting the runner within the tube; wherein the improvement comprises the provision of: a stub shaft extending from the supporting structure and engaging a bore defined in the runner radially within the said peripheral drive member; a plurality of bearing pads carried by the stub shaft, means whereby a lubricant can be fed under pressure to provide hydrostatic lubrication between each pad and the bore, and means whereby each pad is resiliently mounted radially with respect to the stub shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An axial water flow machine including: a water flow tube; a runner disposed within the tube for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and adapted to carry a peripheral drive member; a supporting structure disposed axially to one side of the runner for supporting the runner within the tube; wherein the improvement comprises the provision of: a stub shaft extending from the supporting structure and engaging a bore defined in the runner radially within the said peripheral drive member; a plurality of bearing pads carried by the stub shaft, means whereby a lubricant can be fed under pressure to provide hydrostatic lubrication between each pad and the bore, and means whereby each pad is resiliently mounted radially with respect to the stub shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein recesses are formed in the stub shaft and a bearing pad is disposed in each recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A machine according to claim 2, wherein each recess is provided with a backing plate and each bearing pad is located circumferentially and axially by the recess and is supported radially by a plurality of compression springs which bear against the said backing plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A machine according to claim 3, wherein each backing plate is detachable and the stub shaft is hollow such that each bearing pad can be withdrawn radially inwardly into the stub shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the bearing pads are spaced circumferentially around the stub shaft the circumferential spacing between adjacent pads being greater on the underside of the shaft than on the upper side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein the bearing pads on the underside of the stub shaft are each of smaller bearing area than those on the upper side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein there are two axially spaced, circumferentially extending sets of bearing pads on the stub shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
A machine according to claim 1, wherein secured to the stub shaft is an annular bearing flange which extends substantially radially therefrom and cooperates with the runner for transmitting axial thrust from the runner to the supporting structure, the flange incorporating in its surface a plurality of bearing pads between which and the runner hydrostatic lubrication can be provided.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-21 | 1975-08-23 | 1976-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-21 | 1979-08-23 | 1980-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-21 | 1983-08-23 | 1984-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |