General Electric Company
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELASTIC BEARING SUPPORT

Abstract:

A method of reducing loads in a rotor assembly during an imbalance condition, a shape memory alloy recoupler device, and a hybrid bearing support system are provided. The hybrid bearing support system includes a shaft extension fixedly coupled to a rotatable member at a radially inner end of the shaft extension, a radially outer end of said shaft extension fixedly coupled to a rotatable race of a bearing supporting the rotatable member, and a recoupler device formed of a shape memory alloy (SMA) material coupled in parallel with at least a portion of said shaft extension between the radially inner end and the radially outer end.