High-speed support bearing with metal-fluoroplastic antifriction elements

Steam turbines of the Siemens Company with a power of 15-35 MW, used in petrochemical plants, are characterized by insufficient service reliability because of the high vibroactivity of support bearings. The standard design of the bearings with four stationary wedges does not ensure effective counteraction against the appearance of vibrations, because the geometry of the oil wedge in the working frequency range of rotation remains unchanged. An increase of the gap in wear of the Babbit layer aggravates the situation. It was therefore necessary to modernize the support bearing of turbines to increase their reliability, improve the fitness for repair, and avoid importing parts. One of the main features of the new design is that the antifriction surface of the segments is formed by easily removable and mutually replaceable strips pressed from metal-fluoroplastic tape. These new design solutions have made it possible to improve the vibration characteristics of the support bearings, greatly simplify their repair and servicing, reduce the requirement on spare parts imported from abroad, more than half the mechanical losses, and reduce 3-5 times the flow rate of oil through the bearing.