A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPLICATION OF FLUID-FILM BEARINGS TO AUXILIARY POWER A-C GENERATORS IN SPACE VEHICLES

Abstract

A preliminary, general discussion is given of fluid-film bearings for auxiliary power, AC-generators in space vehicles as a possible alternative to conventional, rolling-element type bearings, the use of the latter being precluded due to relatively high temperature conditions and environmental factors. The gen erators, rated at 30 to 100 KVA at 24,000 rpm, are to be turbine-driven, self-contained units, having no external seals between rotating and stationary elements. The sealed containers are to withstand external pressures of 0 to 1 atmos phere and the ambient generator temperature is given as 600 F. Substances specified as possible working fluids for the closed-cycle turbine are: mercury, sulfur, rubidium and aluminum bromide. These fluids are considered as lubricants for the journal and thrust bearings of the generators and the feasibility is discussed regarding their use in the liquid and/or in the gaseous state, within a very roughly defined but limited temperature - pressure regime.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 24, 1961
Accession Number
AD0402735

Entities

People

  • L. Licht

Organizations

  • Franklin Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bearings
  • Boundaries
  • Continuum Mechanics
  • Differential Equations
  • Elastic Properties
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Transfer
  • High Temperature
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Spacecraft
  • Steady State
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Vapor Pressure

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster