Thrust bearing for a gyratory crusher and method of supporting a vertical shaft in such a crusher

A method of supporting a substantially vertical shaft in a gyratory crusher, which comprises a crushing head which is fixedly attached to an upper portion of a substantially vertical shaft and on which a first crushing shell is mounted, and a frame on which a second crushing shell is mounted, the second crushing shell defining, together with the first crushing shell, a crushing gap, the width of which is adjustable by changing the vertical position of the first crushing shell with respect to the vertical position of the second crushing shell by at least one adjusting device, wherein gyratory crusher further comprises a thrust bearing, which is made up of horizontal bearing plates and which is located between the vertical shaft and a piston arranged vertically below the vertical shaft, the thrust bearing being adaped to transmit forces from the crushing head to the frame, and

• wherein the method further comprises supplying liquid to a first space adapted to receive a variable amount of pressurized liquid, the first space being defined by the piston and a piston housing formed in the frame, the first space being adapted, by said liquid, to transmit, during operation of the crusher, vertical forces from the shaft to the piston housing, and
• liquid is supplied to a second space from the first space by way of a duct, the second space being located between the vertical shaft and the piston and at least partly accommodated in at least one opening which has been formed in at least one of said bearing plates, the second space being adapted, by said pressurized liquid, to generate, during operation of the crusher, an upward force acting on the vertical shaft, in order that the load on the thrust bearing is relieved in the vertical direction.