ENERGY SERVICES ENGINEERING

PRODUCT SERVICE

TIL 1719
7 DECEMBER 2009
Compliance Category O
Timing Code - 7

TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER

MODIFICATION TO DOUBLE TILT PAD BEARING GEOMETRY
APPLICATION
This TIL is applicable to Steam Turbines with six-pad Double Tilt Pad (DTP) bearings exhibiting Babbitt leading edge
damage.

PURPOSE
To address potential damage to Double Tilt Pad (DTP) bearings and inform affected operators of available modifications.
Compliance Category
O - Optional

Identifies changes that may be beneficial to some, but not necessarily all,
operators. Accomplishment is at customer's discretion.

M - Maintenance

Identifies maintenance guidelines or best practices for reliable equipment

operation.

C - Compliance Required

Identifies the need for action to correct a condition that, if left uncorrected,
may result in reduced equipment reliability or efficiency. Compliance may be
required within a specific operating time.

A - Alert

Failure to comply with the TIL could result in equipment damage or facility
damage. Compliance is mandated within a specific operating time.

S Safety

Failure to comply with this TIL could result in personal injury. Compliance is
mandated within a specific operating time.

Timing Code
1

Prior to Unit Startup / Prior to Continued Operation (forced outage condition)

At First Opportunity (next shutdown)

Prior to Operation of Affected System

At First Exposure of Component

At Scheduled Component Part Repair or Replacement

Next Scheduled Outage

Optional

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
The information published in this Technical Information Letter is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship
with your organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves many factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant
is in your control and ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically disclaims any responsibility for
liability based on claims for damage of any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to have been incurred as result of applying
this information regardless of whether it is claimed that GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in other
respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your organization as a result of applying this information.
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.

TIL 1719

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
During planned outages a number of six-pad Double Tilt Pad (DTP) bearings have been found with damage on the
leading edge of the upper pads. Analysis has determined this damage is due to the oil wedge not forming sufficiently,
resulting in the pad fluttering. The pad fluttering leads to work hardening of the Babbitt, which subsequently chips off
over time.
There have been no operational indications, such as temperature, vibration, etc, which indicates this damage. An
inspection is required to identify if the pad has experienced damage due to fluttering (see Figures 1 & 2). A modified
geometry for the leading edge of the upper pads is now available to improve formation of the oil wedge.

Figure 1:

Figure 2:

Example of fluttering damage to single pad

Upper bearing leading edge pad damage

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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TIL 1719

RECOMMENDATIONS
An inspection on all six-pad DTP bearings is recommended at the next scheduled outage or when bearing is exposed. If
fluttering damage is noted a qualified GE service shop can repair the damaged Babbitt and modify the upper pads to an
improved leading edge geometry.
Contact your local GE Service Manager or Contract Performance Manager for assistance or for additional information.

PLANNING INFORMATION
Compliance
Compliance Category: O
Timing Code: 7
Manpower Skills
A trained bearing specialist in a GE service shop should perform the contouring of the new bearing geometry.
Parts
Not applicable
Special Tooling
These modifications should be performed in a GE service shop with proper bearing repair equipment
Reference Documents
For normal DTP bearing operation and maintenance see GEK 92569.
Previous Modifications
Not applicable
Scope of Work
The bearing will require shipment to a GE service shop where it will be machined and rebabbitted. Each GE service shop
will provide schedule based on current workload
Contact your local GE Service Manager or Contract Performance Manager for assistance or for additional
information.
NOTE: If you would like to receive future TILs by email, contact your local GE Service Manager or Contract Performance

Manager for assistance.

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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TIL 1719

TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD

Compliance with this TIL must be entered in local records. GE requests that the customer notify GE upon compliance of
this TIL.
Complete the following TIL Compliance Record and FAX it to:
TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)

TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD

For Internal Records Only #

Site Name:
Customer Contact Information

Customer Name:
GE Contact Information

Contact Name:

Contact Name:

Address:

Address:

Email:

Email:

Phone:

Phone:

FAX:
Turbine Serial Number(s):

FAX:

INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

TIL Completed Date:

100% TIL Completed:

Description:

Unit Numbers:

Part Description:

Part Number

MLI Number

Comments:

If there are any redlined drawings that pertain to this TIL implementation, please FAX the drawings along with
this TIL Compliance Record.

NOTE:

FAX this form to:

TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)

COPYRIGHT 2009 GE
This Technical Information Letter contains proprietary information of the General Electric Company, USA and is furnished to its customer solely to
assist that customer in the installation, testing, operation and/or maintenance of the equipment described. This document shall not be reproduced in
whole or in part nor shall its contents be disclosed to any third party without the written approval of GE Energy Services Engineering.
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