Abstract
An elasticity analysis to calculate the distribution of all bearing loads in a turbo-generator set is presented from first principles. It is shown that the movement of bearing pedestals caused by the thermal distortion of the foundation can cause considerable changes of load distribution between bearings with consequent problems of oil film instability and shaft whip. Acute misalignment encountered in practice can cause some bearings to take a negative load. The development of a computer programme is described, which can be used to investigate a range of possible cold re-alignments.
A separate analysis of the particular type of bearings used shows that the load capacity is completely adequate in the downwards direction, but greatly reduced in the upwards direction. Upwards loads of static or dynamic origin should be avoided with the type of journal bearing design considered here.
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