There is a
difficult problem to provide a reliable, faultless work of the bearing
in the forward support of the low-pressure turbine (so-called "an inter-stage
bearing"). After a few cases when D-30KP/KU engines failed as a result
of improper functioning of the inter-stage bearing, it was decided to prepare
a set of preventive measures. Doing this job, MMPO Salyut found out that
its is possible to check the inter-stage bearing for defects by the noise
it makes. Findings of this study allowed to prepare a new method on early
diagnostics of the inter-stage beatings in two-shaft turbine machines.
Measuring the noise allows to detect the bearing's sliding movement on
the inner ring, roller fence and latitudinal lines a few hours before malfunction
occurs. A noise-measuring device proposed by MMPO Salyut features such
a high sensitivity that a 5-mkm declination in the rollers can be detected.