In what is thought to be one of the world’s first successful bearing run-downs, the test demonstrated the bearing’s ability to survive a station blackout condition without the use of an externally powered high-pressure oil injection system.
Failure of the on-site power generators, concurrent with the loss of off-site power ultimately, results in a station blackout condition as there is no on-site electricity available to power the high-pressure oil injection system.
To meet testing requirements, the bearing must be able to run down to a stop, under full load, and restart without any subsequent intervention.
As part of the contract to supply six thrust and guide bearings, a custom-made test rig was constructed at the Michell Bearings site to satisfy the test conditions...
Read the full article in the July issue of DPA