When
an exceedingly tall tank height requires a shaft longer than
allowed by engineering standards for overhung shafting, a
steady bearing may be used to limit shaft deflection and
vibration. This bearing may be placed in the middle of the
shaft, but is more often placed at the bottom of the shaft,
bolted or welded to the tank floor.Most steady bearings
consist of a replaceable shaft wear sleeve, replaceable
bearing, and steady bearing housing. Sanitary steady
bearings do not include the wear sleeve due to "easy clean"
requirements.
The
material of the bearing must be selected to be compatible
with the tank contents. Corrosion, abrasion, and the
temperature must all be considered to determine a bearing
material which will not fail prematurely. Highly abrasive
products may require a flushing line be plumbed to the
bearing to keep the bearing clean and free of abrasive
particles.
When
an exceedingly tall tank height requires a shaft longer than
allowed by engineering standards for overhung shafting, a
steady bearing may be used to limit shaft deflection and
vibration. This bearing may be placed in the middle of the
shaft, but is more often placed at the bottom of the shaft,
bolted or welded to the tank floor.