The primary circuit gas bearing circulators for the Dragon reactor experiment. Project DRAGON

As part of its general development programme of nuclear applications, Societe Rateau has been led to develop gas bearings which are principally applied today in the manufacture of leak tight circulators. The Rateau technique uses journal bearings with multiple pre-loaded pads and multi-pad thrust hearings with a self-aligning feature. The operation of the bearings is purely hydrodynamic.