Confirmation of performance and reliability of direct lubricated tilting two pads bearing

Abstract

Direct lubricated tilting two pads bearing with 890 mm diameter for large steam turbine was developed. Its performance, both static and dynamic characteristics, and reliability were tested with full scale test, after confirmation by thermo-hydrodynamic calculation coupled with finite element method deformation analysis, to evaluate deformations of the bearing pads. As a result of full scale test, it was confirmed that all of the target values were satisfied. In the same manner, robustness tests, changing the tilt angle of the shaft and supply oil condition were also conducted, and sufficient safety operations of the test bearing were also confirmed. Compared to the conventional bearings, the friction loss of the developed bearing was less than half of other types, such as flooded type, or direct lubricated four pads bearing.