Patent · US Active

Bearing assembly for a marine turbine shaft, and marine turbine including such a bearing assembly

US8998492B2 · kind B2 · utility

8Cited by
6References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 9, 2010
Grant dateApr 7, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 9, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/20
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

To recover the axial forces transmitted by a rotating shaft, a bearing assembly includes a plurality of distributed bearing units. Each bearing unit comprises: a stationary base; a resilient member having a stationary portion and a portion that is completely movable in a main direction of the forces to be supported; and a bearing surface that defines, together with the shaft, a water film. The bearing surface is connected to the movable portion. The minimum radius of the bearing surface is between 1 m and 3 m. The resilient member and the base define at least one water chamber. A plurality of ducts are arranged so as to connect the chambers together, thereby defining a closed circuit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.