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Sag Chart

Turbine bearings can fail due to high loading, which is most often caused by misalignment of components from their original design specifications over time. Proper bearing loading is calculated during design based on component weights, shaft geometry, and the catenary curve. If high loading is suspected, measurements should be taken to check for misalignment before recalculating loading, as this process can be arduous and expensive. TGM can perform recalculations and realignments without the original equipment manufacturer if needed.

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Krishnan Santhanaraj
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445 views1 page

Sag Chart

Turbine bearings can fail due to high loading, which is most often caused by misalignment of components from their original design specifications over time. Proper bearing loading is calculated during design based on component weights, shaft geometry, and the catenary curve. If high loading is suspected, measurements should be taken to check for misalignment before recalculating loading, as this process can be arduous and expensive. TGM can perform recalculations and realignments without the original equipment manufacturer if needed.

Uploaded by

Krishnan Santhanaraj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Turbine Tips have covered the main reasons for bearings to wipe: 1)

Insufficient lube oil supply, 2) Low lube oil pressure, and 3) Water in the
lube oil. Every once in a while a fourth cause appears: High bearing
loading.
Proper bearing loading is calculated by the elevations of the bearings,
component weights and shaft alignments (bending moments, lateral,
torsional). The OEM calculates the elevations and coupling alignments
during the design process, based on the catenary curve (or sag chart).
Calculations of bearing loadings and alignment are usually accurate based
on the design engineers' mathematical calculations and computer model
for the rotor's geometry, speed, weight, and bearing design.

The Catenary Curve

Most of the time, high bearing loading is caused by misalignment of the


turbine power train from the original design. That is, some force has
moved the components from their original alignments. The source of the
bearing failure can be eliminated by carefully measuring and re-aligning to
the original specifications. But we have seen examples where the original
calculations either were not accurate or over years of operation the
bearing pedestals had moved.
Recalculating bearing loading is an arduous and potentially expensive
process, so all other contributing factors should be eliminated before
attempting this course. If necessary, TGM can perform the recalculation
and re-alignment without the participation of the OEM. On three bearing
units, it is not uncommon to utilize a dynamometer to check bearing
loading during alignment and their adjustments

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