Gas and steam turbines typically make use of tilting pad journal and thrust bearings, either separately or in combined set, depending on their size. Directed lubrication is commonly applied to minimize power losses, regulate the oil flows, and reduce the temperatures of pad surface. For gas turbines, the requirement of high-speed and high-load often need to use of Cu/Cr backing materials and reliable pivoting mechanisms.

Why Use Tilting Pad Bearings in Turbines?

1. Superior Dynamic Stability at High Speed

Gas and steam turbines operate at speeds ranging from 3,000 to over 30,000 rpm. Traditional fixed-geometry bearings may experience oil whirl or instability at such speeds.
Tilting pad journal bearings eliminate this risk by allowing each pad to pivot freely, maintaining a stable hydrodynamic oil film regardless of speed or misalignment.

2. Reliable Axial Load Support

In many turbine systems, especially those with high axial thrust (e.g., condensing steam turbines), tilting pad thrust bearings are critical. They maintain rotor alignment under heavy axial forces, reducing wear on other mechanical components and ensuring smooth, vibration-free operation.

3. Adaptability to Thermal Expansion

Turbine systems are subject to extreme temperature changes during startup, operation, and shutdown. The tilting pad design allows for controlled thermal expansion and contraction, reducing the risk of binding or misalignment, and extending bearing service life.

4. Directed Lubrication for Thermal Efficiency

To manage the significant heat generated in turbine operation, our bearings are compatible with directed lubrication systems, which:

• Deliver oil precisely to the leading edge of each pad

• Reduce power losses and oil consumption

• Keep bearing surface temperatures within safe limits

Typical Applications in Turbine Systems

Custom Design Capabilities

At Journal Bearings, we offer complete OEM & retrofit solutions, including:

• Center or offset pivot pad design

• 4, 5, or 6 pad configurations

• High-strength steel housings with babbitt-faced pads

• Optional Cu/Cr or polymer backing for enhanced load and thermal performance

• 3D modeling and hydrodynamic analysis reports within 3–5 working days

Performance Advantages

• Reduced vibration and rotor instability

• Increased load capacity under axial and radial stress

• Enhanced heat dissipation with directed oil flow

• Extended bearing life in severe-duty applications

• Modular, maintainable design for quick inspection and service

Work With the Turbine Bearing Experts

With decades of experience and a focus on high-speed, high-performance bearing systems, Journal Bearings is your trusted partner in turbine bearing solutions. Whether you require separate or combined tilting pad journal and thrust bearings, we deliver products engineered for precision, reliability, and performance.

Request a technical proposal today. Let us help you increase turbine uptime, improve efficiency, and reduce total lifecycle cost—with bearings that are built to perform.