Azimuth Hydrostatic Oil Bearing

June 14, 2021, P. Gabor et al.

Location: Basement

• The oil must be kept close to optimal viscosity. This is done by heaters and chillers. The chillers are either on or off; the control loop cannot influence their cooling power. The control loop acts on the heaters.
• The automated system is programmed to run only a single chiller even if that is insufficient to keep the oil close to its optimal temperature of 61°F.
• Check the oil temperature actual. If it is already higher than 65°F, you will need to start the other chiller manually (see below).
• STEP ONE (labeled as such): Pull out red switch, upper left corner of control box
• After recirculation pump starts, check flow meter by oil tank
• Check that one chiller is “ON” (green indicator) (alternates between chillers #1 & #2, each on/off cycle)
• When needed (see above), start the other chiller manually (the other chiller = the chiller not started by the automated system in STEP ONE): go to the tanks by the south wall, and flip the Auto/Manual switch on the other chiller, and push its “ON” button
• Check oil temp set point (61°F)
• Check oil temp actual (should rise immediately after recirculation pump starts, then settle at or very slightly above set point)
• Check oil level light “OK” (if it's going to go out because of low oil level, it will do so after recirculation pump and/or pressure pumps have been started. May come back on after more running, as oil returns from azimuth bearing)
• STEP TWO (labeled as such): Rotate pumps switch clockwise to “ON”
• Check low side (feed pump) pressure rising
• WAIT FOR HIGH PRESSURE PUMP TO START
• Check high pressure side: pressure and flow “OK” after running awhile
• Hydrostatic-bearing oil system is now active

• Turning off the other chiller: If both chillers were running, at the end of the night (or at any time if useful or necessary), turn off the other chiller with its “OFF” push button, and revert its Auto/Manual switch to “AUTO”.