June 1, 1996                    

Technical Notes from Dr. Mel Giberson, P.E. - TRI President

The facts about Babbitt Bearings:

  • Babbitted bearings are expected to serve for years and years without significant problems
  • Rotor Vibration: Bearing design usually has a significant
    influence on rotor vibration.
         In contrast, rolling element bearings have expected lifetime usually requiring continued replacement.          To change rotor vibration characteristics, consider changing bearing design. A good bearing design can solve problems caused by an unbalanced rotor, sub-synchronous rotor vibration, critical speeds, or vibration problems during start up.

If you are continually servicing your babbitted or rolling element bearings, it’s time to consider the cost. Your cost effective solution is right here. Contact TRI for a bearing design evaluation.

Thousand of megawatts use TRI bearings and related products

Recent TRI Project Achievements: Rotor vibrations of 200 MW GE Turbine-Generator are tamed!!!

The problem: A series of 200 MW GE steam turbine-generators has had rotor vibration problems for years. The HP turbine rotor vibration was particularly susceptible to changes of load, steam conditions and valve position.

The solution: TRI evaluated the problem using TRI proprietary software. The software analyzed the rotor-bearing dynamics. The analysis showed that rotor vibrations were a result of changes in bearing film stiffness during operation. It also indicated that three bearings were most influential.

A new design using three TRI Align-A-Pad bearings in place of the existing tilting pad bearing and two elliptical bearings was implemented. The new bearings were specifically designed with the proper film stiffness.

The result: Low amplitude and steady vibrations over the entire load range

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Over 15,000 MW of Electrical Generation Depend Upon TRI Bearings
 
 
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