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A bearing system includes backup bearings for supporting a rotating shaft upon failure of primary bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the backup bearings are rolling element bearings having their rolling elements disposed out of contact with their associated respective inner races during normal f

A bearing system includes backup bearings for supporting a rotating shaft upon failure of primary bearings. In the preferred embodiment, the backup bearings are rolling element bearings having their rolling elements disposed out of contact with their associated respective inner races during normal functioning of the primary bearings. Displacement detection sensors are provided for detecting displacement of the shaft upon failure of the primary bearings. Upon detection of the failure of the primary bearings, the rolling elements and inner races of the backup bearings are brought into mutual contact by axial displacement of the shaft.

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A bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft on a housing, the bearing system comprising: a pair of primary bearings and a pair of backup bearings, each said backup bearing comprising an outer race supported on said housing, an inner race on said shaft, a plurality of rolling elements disposed b

A bearing system for supporting a rotating shaft on a housing, the bearing system comprising: a pair of primary bearings and a pair of backup bearings, each said backup bearing comprising an outer race supported on said housing, an inner race on said shaft, a plurality of rolling elements disposed between said races, and a retainer ring for constraining said rolling elements; said primary bearings being operative to support said shaft during normal operation in a first predetermined position such that in each of said backup bearings said rolling elements contact only one of said races; said backup bearings being configured so that upon axial displacement of said shaft in a predetermined direction from said first predetermined position to a second predetermined position said rolling elements in each bearing contact both races and said shaft is supported by said backup bearings; and shaft displacement means for selectively applying axial force to said shaft to displaced said shaft from said first predetermined position to said second predetermined position while said shaft rotates relative to said housing, said shaft displacement means including a chamber defined by surfaces on said housing and said shaft and means for introducing high pressure fluid into said chamber.