Giant Thrust Bearing on a Hydroelectric Generator - Authorized Personnel Only S2E21

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[@jwshields]

Channeling a bit of AvE there, wonderful! "FOCUS YOU FUCK"

[@CevicheTheory]

AvE pulls it off so smooth. This guy sounds like he is saying something "naughty".

[@Physicsduck]

I'm a great many things, but "smooth" has never been one of them.

[@likemau5552]

You made my day with this tiny little moment, it looks like I'm not the only one that has problems focusing 😂 And thank You for the content, so much interesting stuff is going on here, i would never thought that i would be interested in power generation but here i am, have a great day ❤​@@Physicsduck

[@mattwilliams4222]

Was thinking the same, an AvE reference

[@adriansaidan1736]

I'm a manufacturing engineer for a company that makes babbitt bearings (journal bearings as well as thrust shoes). I love seeing how the components we make get used in assemblies! It really helps put things into context.

[@tunatuna8877]

Im an ME that works at a place that sends out bearings and thrust shoes out for babbitt! We also purchase new bearings and levelers!

[@Sinebeast]

You had that guy fair and square with the nuts. Good job.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you :) I'm still proud of that one.

[@tunatuna8877]

I work for a company that specializes in large motor repair. We do full blown refurbishments, new components, rewind, restack, the full nine yards. We could have that entire bearing reconditioned in no time!

[@Physicsduck]

Man would I love to get video of you doing just that.

[@achalgautam9777]

just came back after my intern at Nepal's largest hydropower plant 456MWupper tamakoshi. and all i can say is that countries worldwide are really blessed that their water dont have sediment particles as nepal has.

[@Physicsduck]

Oh I totally want to hear the whole story on this one.

[@mikea5923]

Lots of places have sediment problems. I’ve worked on many lake and River fed municipal water systems. Sand (and zebra muscles) is a common hurdle. This is almost always solved with by adding chemical flocculants and settling tanks. The tanks have sweeps on the bottom to collect and remove whatever the flocculants sink, mostly sand and clay.

[@nathanhastings8293]

Its known as a "Beam Hanger" and the Thrust bearing is a "Kingsbury Thrust Bearing "Configuration which contains Tilting Pads, Leveling plates, a Thrust -Runner and shear Pins.

[@Pamudder]

Kingsbury thrust bearings are also used on ships. However, I have never seen one apart.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! I love that you KNOW this, lol.

[@Andy_Jee]

These old machines are impressive they can handle such poor quality maintenance practice and still somehow work... Some white metal bearing tips: - For high reliability installations they need to be checked for cracks (dye pen) and check the bond of the white metal to the bearing housing (UT) - Always measure the journal and bearing and verify the clearance is correct, this ensures a proper oil wedge will be formed. - Lightly hand polish the bearing and journal if there are surface imperfections - CLEAN everything before install - if you need a hammer during disassembly or reassembly you are doing it wrong. - Avoid filing or polishing during assembly or the bearing will be contaminated.

[@kls2020]

"These old machines are impressive they can handle such poor quality maintenance practice and still somehow work..." This is the quote of the entire comment section . Chris reminds me of a management employee at a company I used to work for who came into the powerhouse during maintenance and asked the crew where the "Licket Gates" were located on the Generator. (Laughter ensued)

[@Physicsduck]

You speak like someone who actually knows what's going on. THANK YOU! :) I like it when smart people come in and teach intelligent things. I'm not a Millbilly, so I really don't know much about the mechanical side of things in here.

[@ichbinwiederda100]

Yes, but this is not a Diesel engine. That old thing is not that high load compared to size. Do a good dimension and shape check and do an optical check. And yes, keep it clean and use good practice wile passably.

[@paulyates1682]

Oh my god, it unbelievable that this is the quality of maintenance this machine is getting. Wow

[@kls2020]

the maintenance is every bit as good as the commentary @noahphilippelavallee8565

[@Physicsduck]

Glad to be of service. Thank you :)

[@CATech1138]

said by somebody that's never done any maintaince work....

[@johnhonda93]

​

[@mikea5923]

These are very overbuilt, it’s why they’re still in service. These aren’t pockets watches. In the industry you often inherit abused, neglected, undersized equipment. A real crew gets it goes, and keeps the uptime needed with what you have on hand. The equipment you got is never the equipment you want. What’s the alternative? Full retrofit costing months of downtime and more than in the entire years budget?

[@davidepperson2376]

Those component parts were a lot more beat up than I would have guessed for such a project.

[@Physicsduck]

The generator is a hundred years old and has had a rough life.

[@adriansaidan1736]

@@Physicsduck these old bearings are remarkable, when designed and maintained well. The original tilting thrust pad bearings, (on this side of the pond; shout out to Mitchell) often called "Kingsbury bearings" after their inventor, were designed at the turn of the 19th century. The original bearings installed in Holtwood, PA in 1912 have been in continuous service to this day, and was deemed a Mechanical Engineering landmark in 1976. I work at a bearing company so I only ever see those parts, or in theory, when I designed a babbitted bearing as my final year project. It's incredible that you're able to show me how these assemblies work in practice. From one niche nerd to another, I love your content and everything it stands for, and thank you for the glimpse into the heart of the world's energy.

[@cheeseburgerbeefcake]

Bootsy is going to have to be renamed Crotchy after this episode. That huge engnerding is amazing stuff, thank you all for bringing it to us desk jockeys.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying it! There's much more coming now that I'm back home!

[@Idrinklight44]

Good thing they cared about the shavings from the file. Aviation is a touch different

[@Larsdk9021989]

God I love these videos. I'm way too emotionally invested in the ongoing story of Unit 3 at this point.

[@Physicsduck]

There will be an update on Unit 3 soon! :)

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

My rather weird profession was as an aneasthetic technician, I used to look after all the machines involved in keeping you asleep. That's power!

[@themustachioedman]

The union millwright in me is cringing at the lack of care given to metal filings in the bearing cavity.

[@GeneralElectricCNC]

Some BOZO beat the face of the shaft with a 50lb. sledge hammer and swelled out the top of the journal in a few places! Those bearings only have about 1.2 thousandths per inch of diameter clearance! Not a very clean work area either. Amazing it runs. Very interesting video though! Thank you for risking being injured to make this video. We all appreciate it.

[@louishunter9249]

Bruh I was wondering if anybody was gonna make that comment. They peened the crap outta that thing. Plus it was damaged bad at the end of the video 12:15 . I wouldn't let the same people work on an amc gremlin.

[@hifiandrew]

What I love about these videos, it is like 321..Contact or other science video, but with adult language.

[@Physicsduck]

Exactly. I don't make videos for children or people with similarly functioning minds. Read the disclaimer at the end. ;)

[@walterfarley9230]

Thrust bearing housing is a good place for fillings

[@zonavarbondagoo4074]

Old machines are amazing when they are restored to operational condition and actually do the job for which they were designed.

[@zapfanzapfan]

That disclaimer was hilarious!

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! By popular demand the Disclaimer has just been posted in slow motion as its own video!

[@starwolf621]

Thank you so much for taking us along on this journey! Also, sight glasses are the best ❤️

[@kfeemer]

I've worked on GE gas & steam turbines for 15 years. I always wanted to work on a hydro. I am no longer working for GE. Now i work at an oil refinery. I guess i will never get to work on a hydro. Thanks for the video so i can at least see one.

[@spec_opsgaming]

I love that "fuck you, free" 😂

[@Ink_25]

Can't believe I just binged the whole playlist, super intersting to watch. Too bad I'm a few years late, but as far as I can see all advice re: bearings and metal shavings has already been given

[@hamilton1111]

"theres the nuts! Theyre over by the chips" "oh yeah, theres plenty of sizes"

[@patrickmoore1017]

That's a generator guide bearing. We set them up for .006" clearance around here. As stated in the video, the thrust bearing is just below it in the thrust pot.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! I love it when someone who knows more about this stuff than I do (it's not hard) comes in and offers insight like that. :) It helps us all learn now things. If you want to help solve a puzzle here, let me know. I'm playing hell trying to find a replacement DE bearing for one of the generators in a different plant and could use some advice. :)

[@kfeemer]

These people man 😂...got to say something to feel good about themselves!

[@Pamudder]

Thank you for showing us something that very few get to see. 300 kw is equivalent to about 400 hp. Big piece of machinery for that amount of power.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you for hanging out and enjoying it! She's big for her power, yes, but the tradeoff is she's reliable as hell. 99% uptime for a century and still going strong. There's no engineering like overengineering!

[@jotoole6170]

@ChrisBoden you sir are awesome you and the fellas are so lucky to get to do this. Great video got a little chain hoist just like that it is a handy item. I have decided I need to have a banner made for the shop with a new mantra. Liquor,Loose women and Jazz.

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! If you make that sign sent me a pic! If you NEED a sign made, let me know!

[@thegardenofeatin5965]

There is something fascinating about these videos. I'm several different flavors of shop guy, I've variously worked as a carpenter, auto mechanic and aircraft mechanic, there are some rhythms I recognize here. I have no idea how to ask to get started toward having any of these guys' jobs. I was a member of a makerspace, another one of the members was a pipe fitter. He once mentioned that it's hard to find young pipe fitters. I told him it wasn't ever presented to me as an option. There's no path to go from being a high school student to being a pipe fitter anymore.

[@dustin4028]

there are definitely ways to get into all of these trades. but you gotta seek them out. You go to an apprenticeship. that's like one of the few ways. find an apprenticeship, apply, take the test, get hired, complete the apprenticeship. depending on the area and the system, a lot of these jobs pay over 6 figures so theirs lots of applicants for only a few positions that hire like once every 4 years.

[@svca12218]

Mid 40s changing occupation from office to electric mechanic/repairer for local utility co. The new generation is not interested in this type of work; and there is a "grey wave" of workers about to retire-perfect opportunity for the ones who do want to get in. This series is exactly what I was looking for to give me an insight of what the job includes. Will there be any more episodes? Cheers!

[@TomFynn]

"liquor, loose women and jazz" Ah, the real man's wine, women and song.

[@Brad1711]

How is that sight glass going to work with a cap on the top?

[@samvangeel3660]

Aah! The good old fashion repair with elektrotape of what I presume is the excitation part of the alternator 😜

[@Physicsduck]

That's getting a serious upgrade sometime soon. I'm going to sheathe it in Kevlar.

[@campy9712]

The coolest part is that it was designed by engineers who used a slide ruler.

[@kls2020]

Old Chinese Proverb " One who speaks does not know , one who knows does not speak"

[@Physicsduck]

That explains why you comment so much.

[@kls2020]

If you knew the correct names for the equipment in a Hydro Plant and how everything actually works I wouldn't have to comment so much .

[@jayshepherd5014]

I love your videos. Keep them coming!

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! :) I'm sincerely thrilled you're enjoying them! More coming soon and check out the shorts!

[@paulwilhelmsen6586]

Omg the disclaimer. I love this guy

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you :) You can find the entire Disclaimer here kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGOkY4SNgtSMoJY

[@davidtaylor6124]

How could it get that mushroomed? Scary! Is it a problem filing away and leaving the filings in there or will they wash out?

[@Physicsduck]

I was wondering about the filings myself. Turns out, they filter out.

[@SamSitar]

that bearing is HUGE.

[@BigA1]

As an Electronics Engineer, I didn't think I liked large electromechanical pieces of equipment - but that looks like fun stuff. Would like an explabation of what the various things were and did. For example do those big wires at the top carry power to the energising magnet, how much current do they pass? What's the mercury switch used for? How old is the equipment? Where was it manufactured and by what company etc etc.

[@stevewarfel5788]

That would be a hoist rather than a Come Along.

[@thearchitecturalgamer6652]

The amount of working words and random “FUCK”s I hear make me feel at home watching these lmfao😂

[@racookster]

I just discovered these videos, and I'm fascinated! I've watched three. I guess this is about a large as a hydroelectric dam can be and still be maintained by grubby guys using hand-operated chain fall hoists and files and so on. Any larger, and you'd be needing some seriously heavy industrial tools. Any smaller, and it wouldn't be scary as fuck (which it is). I don't even know where this dam is yet, but I'm about to try to find out. This channel is wonderful!

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the series! We're located in Northern Michigan.

[@christopherleubner6633]

Pour a quart of Lucas oil on that bearing and it would last indefinitely. Not sure how it works but it can seriously revive even pretty far gone bearings. Add molybdenum disulfide and it'll probably never wear out 😁❤

[@Physicsduck]

I'll share that with the Millbillies and see what they say. Thank you!

[@MatthewMcGeeEI4HZB]

"Focus you fuck!" All hail AvE

[@Physicsduck]

Sony cameras require frequent abuse in order to function properly. The primary difference between God and Sony is that God doesn't suffer from the delusion that he's Sony.

[@Sir_Uncle_Ned]

That is one hefty bearing. The forces involved must be obscene.

[@Physicsduck]

It's immense, there's a whole river trying to push this downstream.

[@peter360adventures9]

I think the bearing metal is called white metal. Or a PM metal bearing. It floats on a layer of oil. Because of its mass.

[@Physicsduck]

Check out my other Hydro Dam videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PL-3Y2XexL9dRz9zskedt9vejSoNFmAESQ If you like what you see here, I'd appreciate your help to continue making free, educational videos for all: ko-fi.com/captainboden

[@justin2221]

lol you guys had me laughing the whole time - if you love what you do you'll never work a day in your life

[@davidbudka1298]

I could imagine if there is too much oil in the thrust bearing a fire could start and destroy the generator. I think that happened at Barneston, Nebraska in the early 1980s causing the plant’s permanent shut down.

[@Physicsduck]

I would so love to know the whole story on this one.

[@davidbudka1298]

@@Physicsduck what I know of the story is that the Norris Public Power District refurbished the dam and power plant only to have the one generator catch fire a year or two after. The power plant, being of only 0.8-Megawatts capacity in two units was then considered too costly to repair. The powerhouse is now a home. The dam had been built in 1922 by the Beatrice Power Company.

[@Brian_yeah_that_brian_Strang]

That is how we mark oil levels in power plants

[@98integraGSR]

Man, i wish I could show you what line shaft bearings on an aircraft carrier or LHD are built like, you'd LOOOOVE it. I think you might actually cream your pants if you ever saw inside a main reduction gear 😆💯💯💯

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

"There's the nuts, right next to the chips..."

[@capt.bart.roberts4975]

Sorry I'm British, crisps.

[@leeanncotrone8369]

Thank you for sharing I enjoyed video

[@Physicsduck]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for hanging out! :)

[@nsd0054]

The nut joke was epic!!!

[@jackcochran2581]

Somebody get Bootsy a new pair of jeans!

[@Physicsduck]

Bootsie is why we can't have nice things.

[@dtiydr]

A FDB "Fluid Dynamic Bearing" is holding the rotor, really interesting.

[@ilj948]

loved this.

[@JoelleTheAbsurdist]

Reads entire disclaimer... contemplates decisions in life...

[@Physicsduck]

There's a slow-mo version of it that just posted. :)

[@thetransformatorium7980]

To all who enter here, SLOOOOOWWWWW DOWWWWWNNNN THEEE VIDEOOOOO at the end to read Chris' Disclaimer and pause it frequently if you read as slowly as I do. The disclaimer is delightfully hilarious. Cheers ALL!!

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! I just released it as a slow-motion version of its own video. :)

[@SeaScoutDan]

3:15 ”F-- you free"

[@adrianioancucuiet346]

You can tell the greenhorn to use the entire file surface. You paid for a full file not just the middle of it!

[@SiR2Dean]

6:23 priceless!

[@Physicsduck]

he he he

[@wesleyhurd3574]

Is there a filtration system for that oil?

[@Physicsduck]

I don't know (I'm not a millbilly), but someone on here will know and we'll both learn together. :)

[@TracyNorrell]

@6:33. Just take it it out and through it on the lathe. 😂

[@nonamefaceingforward]

Billeted bushing / babbitted bearing. The Babbitt is poured into the bushing and then machined & mated

[@LadyMistborn]

I'd love to see them do more to the bearing I bet making sure that bearing top goes on flat is tense Looks like whoever did it last didn't get it right, and apparently can't read sight glasses lol

[@bobthedog123456]

Babbitt is normally cast in place so it wouldn't be a billet Babbitt bearing. Also photos of the wrench?

[@Cragified]

Can be. Doesn't mean has to be you can cut a bearing out of a billet of babbitt. All Babbitt means is it is a (1) high-tin alloys with small quantities of antimony and copper; (2) high-lead alloys containing antimony, arsenic, and tin; and (3) intermediate tin-lead alloys with antimony and copper. The hard metals support the softer metals against the forces and the softer metals allow dirt and debris to embed themselves and not run around the race like it would if made of straight steel. The name comes from the metallurgist Issac Babbitt that came up with them for steam engines.

[@Physicsduck]

Doesn't the fact that it's made from a single monolithic piece make it Billet? Even if cast, it's still Billet. Most Billets start out as Castings originally.

[@sir.richardarmstrong3rd759]

Kinda like how a greedy glass works.

[@walterfarley9230]

Top is the guide bearing . Does the thrust not use kingsberry bearings

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

If this is an AC generator like most modern ones it does not have a commutator. Only a rotor & a stator. DC motors & generators have commutators.

[@pikachu.922]

definite old AVE vibes, subbed

[@Physicsduck]

Life imitates Art imitates Life. and THANK YOU! :)

[@JRRott-mj5jq]

Why wouldn’t that guy put a towel around that lip to catch the metal shavings from him filing the edge of that top shaft

[@kyle6094]

His filing method tells you everything you need to know about the level of craftsmanship.

[@CATech1138]

That DISCLAIMER is a fucking work art in it’s own right!

[@Physicsduck]

Thank you! Check my latest videos and I just released the entire disclaimer in slow motion!

[@george-broughton]

This disclaimer is fucking hilarious.

[@rosen9425]

Disclaimer said something about ICBMs. I think you're covered enough

[@hans429]

If you stand there wen the darn thing is running, you gonna die 120 times per second!

[@somerandomguy3868]

So gravity bath type system?

[@Physicsduck]

I don't know for certain, I *think* there's a pump hidden up inside? But I'm not sure.

[@magic.marmot]

I can't imagine the tolerances that need to be managed with a thrust bearing like that. Thermal expansion alone makes me cringe.

[@whodatdere2415]

This is the way it is in real life ;-)

[@walterfarley9230]

Dang it’s no wonder the scroll cass hatch was rusted down with the wrong bolts . Who is in charge . Fucked up place

[@JimLahey21]

Bootie needs some new pants

[@Physicsduck]

Those ARE his new pants.

[@TempoDrift1480]

Dewclaw??? Is that you???

[@Physicsduck]

lol, nope, I'm American. I enjoyed your fader video. :) In a former life I worked with rather a lot of audio gear. You'll see some of that on this channel, even in the power plants. I totally blew the boss's mind when I restored an old Exciter control with a through cleaning with DeOxit. :) Turns out it's for more than just faders, works great on BIG stuff too.

[@TempoDrift1480]

@@Physicsduck Ha Yeah I imagine so! That board was shipped to me in "full functionality" but it had been slammed with a chair. You can see where the two legs came down in two spots so I got a nice refund and then proceeded to restore it. Lot of work but that make and model is particularly easy to work on. Thanks for the uploads. Lots of excitement in your videos.

[@omstout]

How did the shaft get SMASHED? (comment for the algorithm)

[@benmcguire3656]

That is not a thrust bearing.

[@Physicsduck]

It's not?

[@pepito15561]

So.. where are the nuts?

[@SamSitar]

i saw them next to the chips.

[@musicnerd72]

They're about to fall out of dudes ripped jeans 🤣

[@Physicsduck]

#AngryUpvote

[@LazyGardening08]

People are simple, thats a beautiful insult.

[@ChainsawFPV]

Mauled by furry animals. Lmao. Sign me up!

[@ChrisSmith-kw4gn]

Liquor Loose Women and Jazz

[@CevicheTheory]

Someone watches AvE

[@Physicsduck]

Been watching AvE for a looooooong time.

[@DonLuc23]

Calling a chain falls a come-along is pretty sad, and the language proves what?

[@ThunderboltWisdom]

Oh the tension, the suspense. Will they grind or file? Will they ever get the big round thingamajig onto the centre shaft whatdyamacallit? What will the glass sighting pipe look like when it's painted? Will he ever get his nuts if he still has that hole in the crotch of his jeans? How long will those jeans last considering they are more rips than denim? Who will get the blame for leaving a frigging spanner inside the bearing? Will we ever get to see their faces? All this and more will be revealed in the next episode of Flash Gordon. ✊🤪💥🛠️🧰🍻🥜