4. Runout. Runout should be measured after the collar is assembled on the shaft.

Size, inches (cm) Deviation, inches (microns)

Up to 20 (51) 0.0001 (3)

21-40 (53-102) 0.00015 (4)

41 (104) and up 0.002 (50)

6.4 Measuring Clearance and Wear of Pivoted Shoe Journal Bearings

Pivoted pads of journal bearings are manufactured to extremely tight tolerances. In most
cases, the radial thickness is held to a tolerance of i 0.00025 inch (6 microns). The
magnitude ofthe radial thickness is usually etched on each pad and can be used as a reference
for bearing wear. Three methods of inspection are described here. The first method results
in accurate measurements regardless of bearing design, but requires extensive tooling. The
second and third methods can be performed with a micrometer but are less accurate.

6.4.1 Method No. 1

Construct a mandrel as a fixture to hold the pad in position. The turn of the mandrel should
equal the shaft diameter. A flat surface machined on the outside diameter will stop the
mandrel from rolling. The flat must be paral-
lel to the opposite side of the diameter.
Using a 0.0001 inch (2.5 micron) indicator
IIl\
\\\
and calibrated gage blocks, the radial thick- ‘,8-
ness of the pad can be inspected.

Establish the height of the mandrel. To this

z QV
IQ \ T1@

dimension, add the thickness marked on the

pad. Carefully rest the pad on the mandrel.
(See Figure 6-12.) Measure and record the Figure 6_12
radial thickness of each pad. These measure- _ _ _ _
Use ofmandrel in measuring tilting-pad
ments along with aligning ring bore and shaft Clearance (Method Number 1)_
diameter are used to calculate bearing
clearance.

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 Example:
Aligning ring bore . . . . . 7.000
- Average pad thickness x 2 . . . . . . . . . 1.991
= Bearing bore diameter . 5.009
- Shaft size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.000
= Bearing diametral clearance . . . . . . 0.009 ‘

Use the following formulas (with shaft diameters in inches) to calculate maximum diametral
clearance (inches).
For 1.5-6 inches shaft diameter:
[(Shaft dia. X 0.001) + 0.002] >< 1.5
For 6-12 inches shaft diameter:
[(Shaft dia. x 0.0015) + 0.002] >< 1.5
For shaft diameters of 12 inches and larger:
[(Shaft dia. x 0.002) + 0.002] >< 1.5

Caution: Since a change in clearance will affect the dynamics of the machine,
the original equipment manufacturer should be consulted for allow-
able maximum clearance.

6.4.2 Method No. 2

ft-
This method can be used only on pad

5
designs that have a rocking support along
the full axial length. Using a ball
micrometer measure thickness from
rocking strip to babbitt bore. (See Figure
<a \(.e
’
6-13a) Use a very light "feel" when
measuring because the ball will easily in-
dent the babbitt. The formulas given in
Method 1 can be used to calculate
clearances.

Use of micrometers for measuring tilting-pad

clearance. (a) Method Number 2.
(b) Method Number 3.

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6.4.3 Method No. 3
This method can be used to inspect pad thickness, regardless of type of pad. Measure and
record the shaft diameter. Place journal pad on top of the shaft. Measure over the pad and
shaft (Figure 6- 13b). Subtract the shaft diameter from this measurement to obtain the pad
radial thickness. (When measuring over a shoe support or double radius design, be sure to
measure over the highest point of the pad). Use the formulas in Method 1 to calculate
clearance.

6.5 Instrumentation
Two kinds of probes are discussed in this section: thermocouples for measuring babbitt
temperature and transducers for monitoring bearing wear.

6.5.1 Installation of Resistance Temperature Elements (RTE) and Thermocouples

(T/C) in Babbitt
The following provides instructions for the installation and puddling babbitt of RTE and
T/C devices to comply with MIL T-17600.

Caution: To avoid false readings, do not start this process if there is any
indication of a poor bond.

6.5.1.1 Operator Qualifications. Only Class A babbitt repair operators, currently certified,
may be used to perform this operation.

6.5.1.2 Materials and Equipment. Base materials to be instrumented must consist of babbitt,
(QQ-T- 390 Grade 2 babbitt or ASTM B-23 Grade 2); low to medium carbon steel, or low
alloy steel, or copper or bronze backed shoes. The other items are:

° Chlorothene SM (Trichloroethane).
° Small soldering iron.
° Torch and gas tanks consisting of No. 1 or No. 6 torch head and gas being oxygen and
MAPP gas.
° Flux—Duzall Self-Cleaning or Dutch Boy #321.
- A mixture of pure tin and flux (Acro-Solder) may be used.

6-49