Description:“ARRANGEMENT FOR ADJUSTMENT OF GUIDE PAD CLEARANCE BETWEEN SHAFT JOURNAL AND GUIDE BEARINGS FOR HYDROGENERATOR”
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present invention relates to novel arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro generators without affecting the performance of hydro generator. This novel arrangement is less costly and makes the assembly easier at the time of erection and maintenance.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[003] In prior art, guide bearing arrangement of hydro generator which is shown in figure 1(C) consists of guide bearing pad (1), adjusting screw (2) and adjusting nut (3). Guide bearing pads were placed between shaft journal (4) and guide bearing support ring (5). The guide pad clearance was adjusted through adjusting screw (2) and adjusting nut (3). The guide bearing arrangement of hydro generator in prior art is shown in figure 1 (A), 1(B) and 1(C).

[004] However, the prior guide bearing arrangement has following disadvantages:
1. Additional machining on the guide pads (1) surface was needed for proper setting of clearances at the time of assembly which increases the cost and operation time.
2. Adjusting screw (2) was clamped with guide bearing support ring (5). Therefore, there was no proper tilting of guide pads (1). This reduces the bearing life.

3. The assembly of guide pads (1) is more time consuming and difficult during erection and maintenance.

4. Additional machining for fixing of adjusting screw and nut on guide bearing support ring (5) increases the cost and operation time.

5. Threads for adjusting screw provided on guide bearing support ring get damaged over the time which increases maintenance cost.

[005] In view of above, novel arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro generators has been explored and invented in such a way to reduce operation time and cost and also make the process easier without sacrificing the performance of hydro generator.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:

[006] It is an object of the invention to propose novel arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro generator which makes the fixing process easier at the time of erection and maintenance.

[007] Another object of the invention is to eliminate the additional machining on guide pads and guide bearing support ring, adjusting screw and adjusting nut hence to reduce the cost of fixing arrangement.

[008] Further object of the invention is to reduce the process time and make the process simpler and easy to maintain.

[009] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and process are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus/composition and a method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed disclosure.

[0011] According to the present invention, there is provided Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro-generator comprising of Shim (3), Pivot bar (2) and screw (6), wherein the guide bearings are of the pivoted pad type including a row of guide pads (1) arranged in a guide bearing support ring (5),a pivot bar (2) is fastened to the back of each guide bearing pad (1) to enable the pad (1) to rock to take up a suitable position and facilitate formation of the oil film when running, in which the clearance between the individual pads (1) and the journal (4) is set by the shims (3) between the back of the pad (1) and the pivot bar (2), wherein screw (6) is provided for clamping said pivot bar (2), guide pads (1) and shims (3).

[0012] The subsidiary features of the present invention have been indicated in the dependent claims.

[0013] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0014] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:

[0016] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein: -

[0017] Figure 1(A) shows: Arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro generators using adjusting screw and nut in prior art.

[0018] Figure 1 (B) shows: Detail- X of arrangement in prior art.

[0019] Figure 1 (C) shows: Section AA of arrangement in prior art.

[0020] Figure 2(A) shows: Novel arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro generators according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2(B) shows: Detail- Y of novel arrangement of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2(C) shows: Section BB of novel arrangement in accordance to the present invention.

[0023] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPNAYING DRAWINGS:

[0024] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] In respect of prior art, reference may be made to figure 1(A) 1(B) & 1(C). Here, additional machining on guide bearing pads (1) and guide bearing support ring (5), adjusting screw (2) and adjusting nut (3) was required which increases cost. Guide bearing pads was placed between shaft journal (4) and guide bearing support ring (5). The guide pad clearance was adjusted through the adjusting screw (2) and adjusting nut (3). This arrangement increases operation time and also creates difficulty during erection and maintenance of guide bearing. Also there was no proper tilting of guide pads (1) which reduces the bearing life.

[0026] In order to address aforesaid drawbacks, the present invention has been introduced. The present invention discloses a technology pertaining to an invention directing to Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro-generator.

[0027] In novel arrangement using pivot bars for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal (4) and guide bearings for hydro generator which is shown in figure 2(A), 2(B), & 2(C) where shims (3), pivot bar (2) & screw (6) are provided. The guide bearings are of the pivoted pad type comprising of a row of white metal guide pads (1) arranged in a guide bearing support ring (5). The pivot bar (2) is bolted to the back of each guide bearing pad (1), to enable the pad to rock slightly to take up a suitable position and facilitate formation of the oil film, when running which improves bearing life. The clearance between the individual pads (1) and the journal (4) is set by adjusting the shims (3) between the back of the pad (1) and the pivot bar (2). This robust construction would enable the guide bearings to support the lateral forces without damage. Screw (6) is provided for clamping said pivot bar (2), guide pads (1) and shims (3).

[0028] If any of the guide bearing pads (1) gets sufficiently damaged to need replacement, it is not essential to fit the whole set of spare pads, since the bearing clearance can be set individually at each pad and slight difference in thickness between different sets of pads does not matter. However, the new pad is to be bedded against the journal before use. It reduces the maintenance time and repair cost.

[0029] The clearance at each guide pad can be set by pressing the pad tightly against the shaft and checking with feeler gauge between the back of pivot bar (2) and inner diameter of guide bearing support ring (5).

[0030] Novel arrangement of guide bearing by using pivot bars for hydro generator has resulted in the following

ADVANTAGES OF INVENTION

-Reduces the operation time due to ease in arrangement process by using shims (3) & pivot bar (2) in novel arrangement instead of adjusting screw and adjusting nut;

-Additional machining on guide pads (I) and guide bearing support ring (5), Special adjusting screw & adjusting nuts for guide bearing arrangement is not involved in new improved guide bearing arrangement therefore cost of arrangement and operation time decreases;

-Improved guide bearing arrangement by using pivot bar (2) for hydro generator is also, easier in maintenance and erection takes less time due to well-designed simpler arrangement;

-Due to robust construction, the guide bearings support more lateral forces without damage;

- Bearing life increases due to proper tilting phenomenon of pads (1).

WORKING OF INVENTION
Segmental guide bearing pads are provided in top and bottom guide bearings of Hydro generator. The present invention pivot bars are used to support each segmental pad. While running of the hydro generator pivot bars ensures the tilting of the guide pads to create oil film between shaft journal (Rotating part) & guide pads to reduce the friction between stationary & rotating part.

TEST RESULT

The pivot bars performing satisfactorily in all Hydro generators supplied by the Applicant.

[0031] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

[0032] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0033] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogues to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0034] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.

[0036] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0037] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim

1.Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance between shaft journal and guide bearings for hydro-generator comprising of Shim (3), Pivot bar (2) and screw (6), wherein
the guide bearings are of the pivoted pad type including a row of guide pads (1) arranged in a guide bearing support ring (5),
a pivot bar (2) is fastened to the back of each guide bearing pad (1) to enable the pad (1) to rock to take up a suitable position and facilitate formation of the oil film when running, in which the clearance between the individual pads (1) and the journal (4) is set by the shims (3) between the back of the pad (1) and the pivot bar (2), wherein screw (6) is provided for clamping said pivot bar (2), guide pads (1) and shims (3).

2. The Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clearance at each guide pad (1) is set by pressing the pad tightly against the shaft and checking with feeler gauge between the back of pivot bar (2) and inner diameter of guide bearing support ring (5).

3. The Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the Shim (3) is provided for setting the clearance of guide pads (1).

4. The Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein the pivot bar (2) is provided for tilting of guide pads (1) and clamping of shims (3).

5. The Arrangement for adjustment of guide pad clearance as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein the guide pads (1) are made of metal including white metal.