Page "Fluid bearing" Paragraph 54

According to the ASME ( see reference link ), the first Michell / Kingsbury fluid bearing in the USA was installed in the Holtwood Hydroelectric Power Plant ( on the Susquehanna River, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA ) in 1912.

The 2. 25-tonne bearing supports a water turbine and electric generator with a rotating mass of about 165 tonnes and water turbine pressure adding another 40 tonnes.

The bearing has been in nearly continuous service since 1912, with no parts replaced.

The ASME reported it was still in service as of 2000.

As of 2002, the manufacturer estimated the bearings at Holtwood should have a maintenance-free life of about 1, 300 years.