The bearing arrangement includes a one-piece gas bearing sleeve (32) configured to rotatably support the drive shaft (4) and made in molybdenum or in a molybdenum alloy, the one-piece gas bearing sleeve (32) including a radial bearing surface (33) configured to Surround the drive shaft (4).

Bearing assemblies that include a plurality of polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating and fabricating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements of one or more of the bearing assemblies disclosed herein include at least one first PCD bearing element. At least a portion of the first PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity of about 125 Oersteds or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 14 Gauss.Math.cm.sup.3/gram or less. The first PCD bearing element includes a bearing surface with at least one groove formed therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements also include at least one second PCD bearing element. The second PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity that is less than and a specific magnetic saturation that is greater than the first PCD bearing element.

Bearing assemblies that include a plurality of polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) bearing elements, bearing apparatuses including such bearing assemblies, and methods of operating and fabricating such bearing assemblies and apparatuses are disclosed. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements of one or more of the bearing assemblies disclosed herein include at least one first PCD bearing element. At least a portion of the first PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity of about 125 Oersteds or more and a specific magnetic saturation of about 14 Gauss.Math.cm.sup.3/gram or less. The first PCD bearing element includes a bearing surface with at least one groove formed therein. In an embodiment, the plurality of PCD bearing elements also include at least one second PCD bearing element. The second PCD bearing element exhibits a coercivity that is less than and a specific magnetic saturation that is greater than the first PCD bearing element.

Provided are bearing assemblies including one or more substrate assemblies, such as thrust bearing assemblies. The substrate assemblies include a bearing element fixed to a substrate. The bearing elements are formed from a thermally stable material such as a ceramic-bonded diamond composite. Methods for manufacturing the bearing assemblies are also provided.

Provided are bearing assemblies including one or more substrate assemblies, such as thrust bearing assemblies. The substrate assemblies include a bearing element fixed to a substrate. The bearing elements are formed from a thermally stable material such as a ceramic-bonded diamond composite. Methods for manufacturing the bearing assemblies are also provided.

A thrust bearing device is provided with: a rotational shaft; a collar member fitted to the rotational shaft and having a first thrust surface; and a thrust member having an insertion hole into which the rotational shaft is inserted and a second thrust surface which is disposed around the insertion hole and faces the first thrust surface of the collar member. The first thrust surface is configured to be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the rotational shaft so that a distance between the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface periodically increases and decreases with rotation of the rotational shaft.

A thrust bearing device is provided with: a rotational shaft; a collar member fitted to the rotational shaft and having a first thrust surface; and a thrust member having an insertion hole into which the rotational shaft is inserted and a second thrust surface which is disposed around the insertion hole and faces the first thrust surface of the collar member. The first thrust surface is configured to be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the rotational shaft so that a distance between the first thrust surface and the second thrust surface periodically increases and decreases with rotation of the rotational shaft.

Various methods and systems are provided for a radial turbocharger. In one example, the turbocharger comprises a turbine case housing a turbine wheel and a compressor case housing a compressor wheel, the turbine case including a vaneless turbine nozzle integrated into the turbine case, a bearing case surrounding a shaft connecting the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel and arranged between the turbine case and compressor case, a plurality of long bolts arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, and a plurality of slots arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, a slot length of each slot extending in a radial direction and adapted to receive a dowel pin having a diameter smaller than the slot length, where each dowel pin, via a corresponding slot, couples the bearing case to the turbine case.

A method for modifying an existing single shaft combined cycle power plant having a steam turbine part and a gas turbine part which are connected to each other rigidly by an intermediate shaft. The gas turbine part is supported by two pin-ended supports allowing a certain axial displacement of the casing by rotating about corresponding axes. The old gas turbine part is replaced by a new gas turbine part having a different structure, namely a rigid support and a flexible support. Relative thermal expansion or displacement of the intermediate shaft is compensated by a hydraulic unit comprising a double-acting piston for displacing the gas turbine rotor with respect to the gas turbine stator. The hydraulic unit is controlled based on a displacement measurement in the steam turbine.

A method for modifying an existing single shaft combined cycle power plant having a steam turbine part and a gas turbine part which are connected to each other rigidly by an intermediate shaft. The gas turbine part is supported by two pin-ended supports allowing a certain axial displacement of the casing by rotating about corresponding axes. The old gas turbine part is replaced by a new gas turbine part having a different structure, namely a rigid support and a flexible support. Relative thermal expansion or displacement of the intermediate shaft is compensated by a hydraulic unit comprising a double-acting piston for displacing the gas turbine rotor with respect to the gas turbine stator. The hydraulic unit is controlled based on a displacement measurement in the steam turbine.