Brochure

Bearings
Hydrodynamic bearings
- Journal bearings
Tilting pad bearings are generally used,
and are normally equipped with
thermocouples to monitor the bearing
temperature.
- Thrust bearings
Double-acting, tilting pad bearings with an
equalizing device are typically installed.
The bearing pads can be fitted with
thermocouples for temperature monitoring
and with load cells in high pressure
applications to measure axial thrust.
Active magnetic bearings
In recent years several machines have been
equipped with active magnetic bearings.
Operating on the principle of electromagnetic
suspension, the active magnetic bearings
perform the same functions as hydrodynamic
journal and thrust bearings with two major
advantages:
- reduced mechanical losses owing to the
absence of friction
- adjustable axial and radial position and
stiffness of the rotor and damping
characteristics of the bearings.
17 GE Centrifugal & Axial Compressors