ALKALI METAL BEARING AND SEAL DEVELOPMENT AT SPACE POWER AND PROPULSION SECTION. Page: 1 of 48
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6.2.1
ALKALI METAL BEARING & SEAL DEVELOPMENT AT SPACE POWER AND PROPULSION SECTION
by E. Schnetzer
Space Power and Propulsion Section
Re-Entry Systems Department
Missile and Space Division
General Electric Company
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
ABSTRACT
SPPS engaged in three major programs associated with the development of Rankine
cycle power conversion technology for space application: The low viscosity bear-
ing stability investigation under NASA contract, the development of dynamic seals
under Air Force contract and the preparations for a liquid metal bearing test,
simulating the conditions of a space generator, on CIRP funding. All programs
were supported by a corresponding analytical effort, presently geared towards
predicting bearing/rotor response. Experimental results are expected in 1966,
and 1967.
Screw seals, rotating channel and slinger squeeze seals were investigated in the
dynamic seal program. Interface instability was identified as one of the major
problems. It was resolved for the case of the slinger squeeze seal, which was
successfully tested in potassium.
DISCUSSION
Alkali metal bearings and seals comprise two of the basic components necessary
for reliable operation of Rankine cycle turbomachinery for space. As a result
of the high temperatures and radiation fields in nuclear space power systems,
and the general complexity of multi-fluid systems, present turbogenerator
bearings and seals employ the primary thermodynamic fluid of the system in
their operation. SPPS is engaged in the development of alkali metal bearings
and seals for incorporation in a full turbogenerator system.
A typical 350 KWe turbogenerator for space power conversion - General Electric
concept - is shown in Figure 1. It consists of a six-stage turbine driving
an axial gap generator. Each component is supported on two radial bearings
and a thrust bearing. The two components are connected by an elastic coupling.
The design has been optimized for minimum rotor weight and distribution of
this weight over four equal size pivoted pad bearings. Each component,
turbine as well as generator, has its own thrust bearing primarily to fix the
rotor position accurately, in relation to its stator. Thrust loads are mini-
mized in the turbine by proper fluid design, and in the generator by carefully
positioning the rotor in the middle of the stator. The generator cavity is
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Schnetzer, E. ALKALI METAL BEARING AND SEAL DEVELOPMENT AT SPACE POWER AND PROPULSION SECTION., report, October 31, 1967; Country unknown/Code not available. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1035214/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.