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US 10,612,593 B2Granted
Magnetic preloading of bearings in rotating machines
AssigneeOneSubsea IP UK Limited
InventorsHans Fredrik Kjellnes, Erik A. Torbergsen, Åsmund Valland, Audun Magne Askeland
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Abstract
In rotating machine having a vertically oriented rotating shaft, a static magnetic force is used to simulate rotor weight and create the desired bearing preload. By installing a magnet the gravity based preload on the shaft journal bearings of a horizontal machine can be simulated for a vertical shaft. This can increase rotor stability, reduce the machine's vulnerability to hydraulically induced imbalance forces and give a more smooth transition through various shaft speeds.
Claims11
A rotating machine comprising:
- a shaft having a primary axis of rotation oriented vertically, the shaft comprising a first journal;
- a first bearing surface shaped and positioned to engage the first journal such that a first fluid is pulled between the first bearing surface and the first journal by the rotating of the shaft during machine operation thereby providing lubrication, wherein the first bearing surface is configured to tilt on a fulcrum;
- and
- a first magnet configured to impart a lateral force on the shaft thereby pulling the first journal towards the first bearing surface, wherein the first magnet is aligned with the fulcrum and axially offset from the first bearing surface along the primary axis of rotation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.