US4309144A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Axial thrust bearing
Assignee: BBC Brown Boveri AG Switzerland
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Filing: 1979-08-10
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 1999-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for counteracting an axial thrust imparted to a shaft of a fluid turbine is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second shaft thrust plates affixed to the shaft. A first, stationary axial thrust bearing engages the first shaft thrust plate. A second axial thrust bearing, having components which are axially movable, engages the second shaft thrust plate. The apparatus also includes a system of fluid lines for supplying pressurized fluid to bellows-like thrust chambers in the second axial thrust bearing. The source of the pressurized fluid is fluid compressed by a compressor mounted on the shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Eggmann
- 👤 Max Hartmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:48
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C17/00; F16C17/04; F16C17/06; F16C41/00; F16C41/02; F01; F01D; F01D25/00; F01D25/16; F01D25/166; F01D25/168; F01D3/00; F01D3/04; F16C17/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for absorbing an axial thrust exerted on a rotating shaft in a fluid-flow engine, the shaft being provided with a first thrust bearing which is located rigidly with respect to an axial direction of the shaft and which interacts with a first shaft thrust plate, said apparatus comprising: at least a second shaft thrust plate; at least a second thrust bearing which interacts with said second shaft thrust plate, said second thrust bearing including a first and a second bearing element, such that said bearing elements are displaceable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft thrust plate; at least one thrust arrangement which counteracts the axial thrust on said bearing elements, said at least one thrust arrangement being controlled as a function of the axial thrust such that when the axial thrust changes, a thrust compensating force exerted by the at least one thrust arrangement varies accordingly; and wherein the fluid-flow engine is provided with a pressure tapping which is subject to the working medium and which is connected via a first line to at least one controllable throttle valve which throttle valve is connected on an outlet side via a second line to an outlet orifice, said outlet orifice leading into the open atmosphere and permitting a small flow of pressure medium from the pressure tapping through said at least one throttle valve, said outlet orifice having an orifice with a sufficiently small cross-section so that, in said second line connecting said outlet side of said at least one throttle valve to said outlet orifice, a super-atmospheric pressure can be set, said pressure being transmitted via a third line into an interior of said at least one thrust arrangement to provide a thrust compensation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
289 words
An apparatus for absorbing an axial thrust exerted on a rotating shaft in a fluid-flow engine, the shaft being provided with a first thrust bearing which is located rigidly with respect to an axial direction of the shaft and which interacts with a first shaft thrust plate, said apparatus comprising: at least a second shaft thrust plate; at least a second thrust bearing which interacts with said second shaft thrust plate, said second thrust bearing including a first and a second bearing element, such that said bearing elements are displaceable in the axial direction relative to the first shaft thrust plate; at least one thrust arrangement which counteracts the axial thrust on said bearing elements, said at least one thrust arrangement being controlled as a function of the axial thrust such that when the axial thrust changes, a thrust compensating force exerted by the at least one thrust arrangement varies accordingly; and wherein the fluid-flow engine is provided with a pressure tapping which is subject to the working medium and which is connected via a first line to at least one controllable throttle valve which throttle valve is connected on an outlet side via a second line to an outlet orifice, said outlet orifice leading into the open atmosphere and permitting a small flow of pressure medium from the pressure tapping through said at least one throttle valve, said outlet orifice having an orifice with a sufficiently small cross-section so that, in said second line connecting said outlet side of said at least one throttle valve to said outlet orifice, a super-atmospheric pressure can be set, said pressure being transmitted via a third line into an interior of said at least one thrust arrangement to provide a thrust compensation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one thrust arrangement includes at least one thrust chamber which is flexible in the direction of thrust.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pressure tapping is provided on a compressor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB191407558A
Cited
US1593031A
Cited
US1895003A
Cited
GB374739A
Cited
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Cited
US3717418A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |