INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING & OPERATING HORIZONTAL TYPE SELF EQUALIZING TILTING PAD THRUST BEARINGS WITH FORCED LUBRICATION WAUKESHA BEARINGS CORPORATION WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN 53187 U.S.A.
I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION This is a tilting pad type thrust bearing consisting of a number of load carrying thrust pads retained within a base ring and incorporating a means of load equalization among the thrust pads. The bearing is designed to transmit rotor axial thrust from a collar (either integral to the rotor shaft or a separate piece secured to the shaft) to the machine stator.
The thrust pads are assemblies of a sector shaped steel backing, a tin base babbitt facing and a hardened steel support disc. For some applications the steel backing is replaced by a high strength copper material. And some applications use pads in which the backing and the facing are replaced by bearing aluminum. The support discs incorporate a spherical surface at the point of contact with its supporting piece, commonly the upper link.
IMPORTANT Cleanliness and burr-free surfaces are vital to the proper performance of the bearing. Remove any burrs or raised edges on the pad faces with a scraper. Remove any light burrs or fine rust on the collar with a fine oil stone. Deep rust or bruising will require refinishing. On reassembly, oil all parts to protect against corrosion. Check that the leveling links are properly installed. The radiused central surface of the lower link is placed down so it is in contact with the base ring.
Thrust measuring load cells are also used in applications where an indication of the actual load on the bearing is required. These load cells are integral with the thrust pad(s) replacing the supporting disc. They are strain gauge type transducers, the leads of which, as with the temperature sensors, must be connected to suitable readout instrumentation. V. SERVICE Disassembly procedures generally follow from the assembly procedure for the specific bearing and machine under consideration.
