GTG (MS-5001)

BEARINGS

Document No.
Revision
Date of issuance

O&U-12-OM-110
01
02/08/2010

GENERAL
The gas turbine unit contains two main journal bearings used to support the gas turbine rotor. The unit
also includes thrust bearings to maintain the rotor-to stator axial position. These bearings and seals are
incorporated in two housings: one at the inlet and one in the exhaust frame.
These main bearings are pressure-lubricated by fluid supplied from the main lubricating system. The fluid
flows through branch lines to an inlet in each bearing housing.

Bearing N:

Class

Type

BEARING #1

Journal

Elliptical

ACTIVE (loaded) #1

Thrust

Tilting Pads

INACTIVE (unloaded) #1

Thrust

Tilting Pads

BEARING #2

Journal

Elliptical

LUBRICATION
The two main turbine bearings are pressure-lubricated with fluid supplied by the lubricating fluid
reservoir and interconnected tanks and piping. Lubricant feed piping, where practical, is run within the
fluid reservoir drain line, or drain channels, as a protective measure. This procedure is referred to as
double piping and its rationale is that in case of a pipeline leak, lubricating fluid will not be sprayed on
nearby equipment, thus eliminating a potential safety hazard.
When lubricating fluid enters the housing inlet, it flows into an annulus around the bearing liner. From the
annulus, the fluid flows through machined holes in the liner to the bearing face. The lubricating fluid is
prevented from escaping along the turbine shaft by the use of lubricant seals.

LUBRICANT SEALS
Lubricating fluid on the surface of the turbine shaft is prevented from being spun along the shaft by seals
in each of the bearing housings. These labyrinth packings of deflectors, or teeth, are assembled at the
bearing assemblies where fluid control is required. A smooth surface is machined on the shaft and seals
are assembled so that only a small clearance exists between the seal deflector and the shaft. Seals are

39

GTG (MS-5001)
BEARINGS

Document No.
Revision
Date of issuance

O&U-12-OM-110
01
02/08/2010

designed with double rows of packing and an annular space between them.
Pressurized sealing air is admitted into this space and prevents lubricating fluid from spreading along the
shaft. Some of this air returns with the fluid to the main lubricating fluid reservoir and is vented through a
lube vent.

NO. 1 BEARING
The No. 1 bearing subassembly is located in the center of the inlet casing assembly and contains three
bearings:
1)

active (loaded) thrust bearing

2)

Inactive (unloaded) thrust bearing

3) Journal bearing.
Additionally, it contains one "running type" ring seal, two labyrinth seals, and housing where the
components are installed. The components are keyed to the housing to prevent rotation. The bottom part
of the housing is a part of the inlet casing. The top of the housing is a separate casting, flanged and bolted
to the bottom half.
The labyrinth seals at each end of the housing are pressurized with air extracted from the compressor. The
"running type" ring seal at the forward end of the thrust bearing cavity contains the lubricant and limits
entrance of air into the cavity.

NO. 2 BEARING
The No. 2 bearing subassembly is centerline supported and located inside the exhaust frame inner tunnel.
This support includes ears at the horizontal and a gab key at the bottom centerline. This permits relative
growth resulting from temperature differences while the bearing remains centered in the exhaust frame.
The assembly includes an elliptical liner, labyrinth seals and a bearing housing with separate bearing liner
retaining strap bolted to the lower half of the housing. These components are keyed to prevent rotation.
The labyrinth seals at each end of the housing are pressurized with air extracted from the compressor.

40

GTG (MS-5001)
BEARINGS

Document No.
Revision
Date of issuance

O&U-12-OM-110
01
02/08/2010

Journal Bearing

41