Bearing system

Patent · Tue Feb 10 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6770381

Kapich, D D

A bearing system is described for supporting a rotating shaft on a housing, the bearing system comprising: a pair of primary bearings and a pair of backup bearings, each backup bearing comprising an outer race supported on the housing, an inner race on the shaft, rolling elements disposed between the races, and a retainer ring for constraining the rolling elements; the primary bearing being operative to support the shaft during normal operation in a first predetermined position such that in each of the backup bearings the rolling elements contact only one of the races; the backup bearings being configured so that upon axial displacement of the shaft in a predetermined direction form the first predetermined position to a second predetermined position the rolling elements in each bearing contact both races and the shaft is supported by the backup bearings; and shaft displacement means for selectively applying axial force to the shaft to displaced the shaft from the first predetermined position to the second predetermined position while the shaft rotates relative to the housing, the shaft displacement means including a chamber defined by surfaces on the housing and the shaft and means for introducing high pressure fluid into the chamber.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
• Patent Number(s): US 4641978
• OSTI ID: 6770381
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
BEARINGS
DESIGN
FLUID INJECTION
MACHINE PARTS
MOTION
OPERATION
POSITIONING
PRESSURIZING
ROLLER BEARINGS
ROTATION
SHAFTS