What is the name of a bearing consisting of two thrust plates that surround a turbine shaft and work with a thrust runner to prevent axial movement?

• A. Thrust Bearing
• B. Radial Bearing
• C. Ball Bearing
• D. Journal Bearing

Answer: (A)

Thrust bearings are the components that handle axial loads along the shaft. In this arrangement, two thrust plates are placed on opposite sides of the turbine shaft and a thrust runner sits between them. As the shaft tends to move along its axis, the thrust runner pushes against the plates, creating a controlled interface that prevents any unwanted axial movement. Lubrication between the surfaces minimizes wear while allowing smooth rotation, and the plates keep the rotor properly aligned along the shaft. This setup is specifically designed to stop axial movement, which is why it’s identified as a thrust bearing. Other bearing types—radial bearings (which resist sideways, or radial, loads) or journal/bearing variants that don’t use this two-plate plus thrust runner arrangement—don’t address axial positioning in the same way.