SUPPORTING DRIVE MECHANISM FOR ROTARY MACHINES Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: supporting drive mechanisms for rotary machines with vertical or horizontal axis of rotation, mainly large-sized heavy high-speed working members. SUBSTANCE: proposed mechanism includes gas-lubricated bearing unit, pneumatic drive unit and superheated steam generating unit 6. Gas-lubricated bearing unit includes movable part 1 and fixed part 2 with supercharging chamber 3. Pneumatic drive unit includes distributing chamber 4 and working blades 5 located under bearing surface of movable part 1; their inter-blade passages are communicated with distributing chamber 4. Steam generating unit 6 (boiler or steam generator) is connected by means of pipe line 7 with supercharging chamber 3 of gas-lubricated bearing unit and with distributing chamber 4 of pneumatic drive unit by means of pipe line 8. Pipe lines 7 and 8 are provided with steam valves 9. From steam generating unit 6, superheated steam is admitted to chambers 3 and 4 through pipe lines 7 and 8, respectively wherefrom it is delivered to bearing surfaces and inter-blade passages formed by working blades 5. As a result, gas-lubricated bearing cushion and torque are formed. EFFECT: increased bearing ability of gas-lubricated cushion; increased torque due to high excessive pressure. 5 dwg