System for supporting a rotor in a conditions of accidental dynamic imbalance

System for supporting a rotor in conditions of dynamic imbalance;

• comprising a fixed structure, a shaft having an annular first shaft part, a first bearing arranged between the first shaft part and said structure to support the first shaft part for rotation, the shaft further having a second shaft part extending within the annular first shaft part with radial clearance relative thereto, the second shaft part being connected to the first shaft part and to the rotor in torque-transmitting relation therebetween, the second shaft part being adapted to permit radial displacement of the rotor relative to the first shaft part, an annular axial extension provided on the rotor and extending through said clearance into the interior of the first shaft part, a second bearing arranged between said extension and the first shaft part to support the rotor on the first shaft part against said radial displacement, no rotation occurring between said extension and said first shaft part but the second bearing being adapted to permit relative thermal and oscillatory motion of the rotor and the first shaft part, overload-responsive means provided in said extension and first shaft part in a position axially between said first and second bearing on the one hand and said rotor on the other hand, and said overload-responsive means being adpated to break or deform under radial forces acting on the rotor, and thereby permit said radial displacement, when a given dynamic imbalance of the rotor is exceeded.