Self-lubricating auxiliary bearing with a main bearing failure indicator

An apparatus having an on-condition bearing structure therein, said apparatus comprising:

• a rotatable shaft;
• a stationary bearing housing through which said shaft extends, said stationary bearing housing having a bearing surface and a mounting surface axially displaced from each other along said shaft;
• a bearing member disposed between said shaft and said bearing surface;
• a means for indicating failure of said bearing member;
• a sleeve of self-lubricating material disposed about said shaft, said sleeve being of suitable length and having a radially inner surface surrounding said shaft and having a radially outer surface in register with said bearing housing's mounting surface;
• and
• a runner mounted on said shaft to rotate therewith, having a first radial extension portion disposed between said shaft and said sleeve's inner surface and having a second radial extension portion, said first radial extension portion and said inner surface being normally separated by a predetermined distance and said second radial extension portion normally being separated from said indicating means by a predetermined clearance which is less than said predetermined distance wherein upon failure of said bearing member said runner member's second radial extension portion contacts and actuates said indicating means and said runner member's first radial extension portion engages said sleeve's inner surface causing said shaft to be journaled thereby.