T HRUST E QUALISING M ECHANISM

EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CRYODYNAMICS DIVISION 350 SALOMON CIRCLE SPARKS NEVADA 89434 USA TEL: +1( 775 ) 356 2796 FAX: +1( 775 ) 356 2884

www.ebaracryo.com

unique method of totally balancing hydraulic thrust to significantly extend the life of product lubricated bearings
The Thrust Equalising Mechanism or TEM is at the heart of all Ebara International Corporations pumps and turbines. This unique and simple device ensures that the bearings are not subjected to axial loads within the normal operating range of the pump from zero to 140% of B E P. The TEM has revolutionised the reliability of submerged motor pumps, without incorporating components from an unbalanced pump. The unit once designed does not require any complex set up procedure to maintain the performance of the balance device over the life of the equipment. The TEM has been engineered to balance the up-thrust generated by the pump impellers.

EBARA CRYODYNAMICS

The static and rotating elements relevant to the TEM operation are as follows:

STATIONARY THRUST PLATE

BALANCE CHAMBER UPPER WEARING RING

LOWER WEARING RING

SHAFT ROTOR, IMPELLER & BEARING ASSEMBLY

Thrust loading i.e. axial force along the pump shaft, is a major concern in the design of single suction turbine pumps. This force or load is produced by unbalanced pressure, dead-weight and liquid directional change. The major thrust component of the thrust load is due to the unbalanced discharge pressure across the impeller. This unbalanced pressure, and resultant axial force must be counteracted by some means, either mechanical or hydraulic. The TEM, is a

unique feature of all Ebara Cryodynamics submerged motor driven pumps and employs the same hydraulic principles without adding any separate components. The number of rotating elements remain at a minimum by integration of the upper throttling ring into the impeller casting. Elimination of complex and close-fitting balancing elements not only assures thrust-free operation over the pump range (0-140% of rated flow), but also provides a significant improvement in reliability.

TEM GAP
The pump is at rest ready for start up. The shaft is in its lowest position, with the TEM gap at its maximum. The bearing is at the bottom of its travel only absorbing the load from the mass of the rotor.

The pump starts and the rotor gathers speed to generate pressure. The rotor starts to move upwards as the pressure increases. The static axial load on the bearing decreases as the pressure increases.

This being the upper position of the shaft rotor. The bearing is at the upper limit of its travel without taking any load impact. The TEM gap is at a minimum and the pressure in the balance chamber at its highest. Thrust is totally balanced.

The pump rotor is totally supported by the pressure energy generated by the pump and is a function of the system pressure. The TEM gap is at an intermediate point, no load is applied to the bearings. The pump is in equilibrium within the system.

The system pressure is increased, flow is reduced, the rotor moves upwards to adjust to the change in discharge pressure. The thrust loads are totally balanced and the TEM gap is slightly decreased.

SUCTION PRESSURE

INTERMEDIATE

PRESSURE DISCHARGE PRESSURE

The system pressure reduces, flow increases and the pump rotor moves downwards. The TEM gap increases slightly to accommodate the system requirements. Thrust is totally balanced.

The system pressure changes and the rotor position alters to accommodate this change. Thrust is totally balanced.

The pump motor is de-energised. Discharge pressure reduces rapidly and the rotor moves downwards as pressure decays. The bearings are still unloaded and the TEM gap increases.

The pump is now at rest and the TEM gap is at its maximum. Bearings are at the lower limit of travel. Bearing load is equivalent to the static mass of rotor. The pump goes from rest to full speed in less than 2 seconds.

SUCTION PRESSURE INTERMEDIATE PRESSURE DISCHARGE PRESSURE

Self adjustment by the TEM allows the product-lubricated ball bearing to operate essentially at ZERO thrust load over the entire usable capacity range for pumping. This feature substantially increases the reliability of the bearings, and reduces equipment maintenance requirements. The TEM also adjusts automatically to compensate for normal machine wear paterns, over the service life of the pumps. The simplicity of the TEM is also reflected by the ease with which its adjustment is made during pump assembly. The TEM is Cryodynamics means of solving the thrust and bearing problems encountered in submerged centrifugal pumps, and has been demonstrated through thousands of hours of successful field operation.

The TEM system of axial balance was developed by G.L.Weisser past Executive Vice President and General Manager of EIC

EUROPE OFFICE EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CRYODYNAMICS DIVISION THE PAVILIONS 1 WESTON ROAD, KILN LANE EPSOM, SURREY KT17 1JG U.K. TEL: +44( 0 )1372 739666 FAX: +44( 0 )1372 748290 ASIAN OFFICE EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CRYODYNAMICS DIVISION NISSAY AROMA SQUARE, 5-37-1 KAMATA OHTA-KU, TOKYO 144-8721 JAPAN TEL: +81 ( 3 ) 5 7 1 4 6638 FAX: +81 ( 3 ) 5 7 1 4 - 6 8 9 1

EBARA INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION CRYODYNAMICS DIVISION 350 SALOMON CIRCLE SPARKS NEVADA 89434 USA TEL: +1( 775 ) 356 2796 FAX: +1( 775 ) 356 2884