Spring-supported thrust bearings used in hydroelectric generators: Laboratory test facility

A test facility was developed for the experimental investigation of the lar ge spring-supported thrust bearings used in hydroelectric generators. The t est bearing had an outer diameter of 1.168 m, thus making it large enough t o simulate most of the features of the thrust bearings in the field, yet sm all enough to be placed conveniently in an engineering laboratory. Instrume ntation included a distribution of thermocouples and pressure taps along wi th displacement probes of eddy current type that were located in the rotor to measure oil film thickness. A detailed description of the test facility was provided along with some representative results and a description of so me experimental difficulties. A survey of the relevant literature published in the past 40 years suggested that this apparatus was unique in its abili ty to study relatively large spring-supported thrust bearings in the labora tory.