quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
It would seem that the turbine hub could be designed with fail-safe self-feathering like turboshaft aircraft propellers.

I can't believe that they aren't doing that. Since the '30s, recips have had props that feathered any time engine oil pressure was lost, for example.

They are sure to have feathering and failsafe senders to feather and take offline, this reminds me of a recent failure and fire in our engine room (got it out in time!) when a 175kw gen set had a field meltdown, this was on a fairly new set with 3000hrs 6cly JD powered. The first phone call I got was "we just had a bearing burn up on our big genie" our failure wasn't a mechanical deal and happened fast, we were very lucky. These rigs so big and in a not so nice place to put out fires, seems they would have a automated fire system as well. Makes me wonder though what they do have for thrust bearings? Ceramic probly or magnetic fields maybe to help?

Or ....... Hey Sam, did you put the STP to the thrust bearings, like I told you to do for me on that last rig we serviced ...... come in Sam ....come in Sam ...... nahhh he must have, I'm sure ol' Sammy wouldn't forget! I'll ask him later at the bar while we have a few cocktails!

Good Ol' Sammy