Hydro Turbine Bearings
Precision Fluid-Film Bearings for Vertical and Horizontal Hydro Units
Kingsbury has been the trusted name in hydro turbine bearings since 1912, when Dr. Albert Kingsbury installed the first tilting pad thrust bearing in a hydroelectric generator. Today, our bearings continue to set the standard for reliability, load capacity, and lifecycle performance in hydroelectric power generation.
We supply complete bearing assemblies, including thrust and guide bearings, thrust blocks, cooling systems, and housings, for both new installations and retrofit projects. Our solutions are engineered to handle the unique demands of hydro applications: low operating speeds, high thrust loads, and long service intervals.
Engineered for Hydroelectric Power Generation
Hydro turbine bearing applications require robust, low-maintenance designs that can withstand decades of operation under heavy axial loads. Kingsbury bearings are installed on vertical and horizontal hydro units with shaft diameters ranging from 150 mm to 1500 mm.
Depending on the application, we offer:
- Thrust Bearings: Equalized (KBV) and non-equalized designs, including mechanical and hydraulic leveling systems.
- Guide Bearings: Fixed geometry or tilting pad configurations for upper and lower positions.
- Pedestal-Mounted Assemblies: For horizontal hydro units, complete with housings and lube skids.
- Insulated Bearings: To mitigate damage from stray shaft currents.
Our VK and KBV series bearings are drop-in replacements for aging spring-plate and spring-bed designs, offering improved load distribution, reduced wear, and simplified maintenance.
Retrofit & Field Services
Kingsbury offers full diagnostic and retrofit services for hydro facilities, including:
- Failure analysis for symptoms like noise, overheating, and wear
- Rebabbiting and machining of thrust runners and blocks up to 144″ diameter
- Replacement of non-Kingsbury bearings with upgraded designs
- Field service support for dismantling, inspection, and installation
- Training programs for maintenance teams
Our engineers have supported retrofits at facilities like Roberts Tunnel Hydro Station and Holtwood Generating Station, replacing outdated OEM bearings with modern Kingsbury assemblies that deliver higher reliability and longer service life.
Hydro & Pumped Storage Bearings
Flooded Equalizing Thrust Bearings
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Vertical Hydro Thrust Bearings
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Jack Screw Bearings
Request Info or QuoteHydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Retrofit Thrust/Journal Bearing for Horizontal Hydro Unit
Both traditional vertical and horizontal in-line, or pedestal-mounted bearing designs, are available.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Installing Insulation Sheet
Kingsbury provides insulated bearings and can convert existing, non-insulated designs into fully insulated bearings to reduce the risk of damage and down-time from stray shaft currents.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Bearings for Hydro Facilities
Albert Kingsbury invented and installed the original tilting-pad thrust bearing for hydro-electric turbine-generator applications in 1912. Today, Kingsbury remains the global leader in hydro-electric bearing supply, support, and refurbishment.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Vertical Hydro Turbine Guide Bearing
Large Vertical Turbine Guide Bearing ready for removal of old babbitt and rebabbitting.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Retrofit Turbine Guide Bearing for Vertical Hydro
Retrofit Turbine Guide bearing. Kingsbury designs, manufactures, repairs, and retrofits upper and lower guide bearings and other large journal bearing applications for all makes and models.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Field Inspection of Thrust Runner on Umbrella Unit
Field inspection supported by Kingsbury of thrust runner on an umbrella-style unit. Kingsbury has vast experience with solid and split thrust runners, steel and older cast-iron, upper and lower guide bearings, and thrust blocks.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Field Installation of New KBV Self Equalizing Thrust Bearing
Field Installation of Vertical Equalizing Kingsbury “KBV” bearing assembly.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
VK Thrust Bearing, New Replacement for GE Spring-plate Bearings
Damaged spring-plate type OEM bearing and replacement Kingsbury “VK” style vertical tilting pad bearing. The “VK” design provides drop-in replacement options for customers with spring-plate, spring-shoe, and other inferior vertical bearing arrangements for hydro and other large motor applications.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Original Bearing Removed from Roberts Tunnel Hydro Station Due to Failure
Original, non-equalizing competitor bearing for Roberts Tunnel Hydro clearly showing wear and probable misalignment damage.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Retrofit Thrust Bearing for Roberts Tunnel Hydro Station, City of Denver
Horizontal Hydro retrofit for Roberts Tunnel Hydro Station (City of Denver) – Kingsbury specializes in replacing aging designs with more robust, higher load-capacity bearings with superior load capacity and simpler maintainability.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Field Service Inspection of Pumped Storage Unit Thrust Runner
Kingsbury can repair or replace large solid or split thrust runners and thrust blocks up to 144″ diameter.
Hydro Turbine Bearings Repair, Retrofit, or Replacement
Kingsbury equalizing vertical thrust bearing replacement of an aging, non-equalizing OEM design. Mechanical leveling plate and pin-style equalization is available. For maximum load equalization and performance, Kingsbury’s hydraulically-equalized thrust bearings completely eliminate friction and wear in the support components.