Figure 1. Schematic representation of the sliding bearings used in
turbine-generator units of hydroelectric power plants
The lubrication must be perfect for a sliding bed to operate safely. In
order to prevent warming and surface deterioration caused by the
friction of the bearing surface, the sliding surfaces must be completely
separated from each other by the oil film and the liquid friction event
must take place. In order to realize the fluid friction in the sliding
bearings, the conditions given below should be met by using hydrodynamic
lubrication theory.
• There must be a gap in the direction of movement between the sliding
bearing shell and pad.
• The sliding surfaces must be relative to each other.
• Lubricating oil should be able to show very good adhesion on the
sliding surfaces.
• The sliding bearing and the pad surfaces must be processed in very
good quality.
If one of the above mentioned points is not applied carefully, the oil
film ruptures occur, causing major damage to the turbine generator
bearing system.
In the fractures in the sliding bearing shell, it disrupts the theory of
hydrodynamic lubrication and causes the oil film to rupture. The bearing
shell fracture in the generator guide bearing of a hydroelectric power
plant is shown in Figure 2