# US 4,589,821 A · High-head multistage pump-turbine

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- Number: US 4,589,821 A
- Document ID: US4589821A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/501,736
- Filed: 1983-06-06
- Granted: 1986-05-20
- Earliest claimed: 1982-07-01
- Assignees: Neyrpic
- Inventors: Jack Rondot; Severin Casacci
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4589821A

## CPC

- F03B 11/066: {in vertical axis machines}
- Y02E 10/20: Hydro energy
- Y10S 415/91: Reversible between pump and motor use
- F03B: MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (positive-displacement engines for liquid F03C; machines for liquids and gases F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04, rotary fluid gearing of the hydrokinetic type F16H41/00)
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A hydrostatic bearing supplied with pressurized water positioned as a seal between the shaft of a pump-turbine and a suction bend adjacent the lower end of the shaft. The hydrostatic bearing replaces the conventional labyrinth joint usually located above the lower shaft bearing, and may additionally replace the lower bearing itself.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a high-head multistage pump-turbine having a shaft (1) supported by an upper hydrodynamic bearing (2) and a lower bearing attached to a bend (5) and being supplied with water from a high-pressure duct (6), and comprising sealing means between said shaft and said bend (5), the improvement comprising a hydrostatic bearing (12) directly supplied with water under pressure from said high-pressure duct and acting as both a bearing and as said sealing means, and comprising water pockets for receiving said water through channel means from said high pressure duct.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said hydrostatic bearing (12) is located above said lower bearing (4).

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The improvement according to claim 1, wherein said hydrostatic bearing (12) constitutes said lower bearing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1, 2, 3)

The improvement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said hydrostatic bearing comprises a plurality of pockets (13) connected via flow control means (17) to a water supply (14).