The hydrostatic bearing principle has been used for many years in other applications than hydroelectric generating sets. For example, many large and heavy optical and radio telescopes are rotated precisely, at very low speed on hydrostatic bearings where a pressurized supply of lubricant maintains a film between the bearing surfaces and actually supports the load. The pressurized oil injection system is already used on many thrust bearings during starts & stops phases when the speed is too low to create enough hydrodynamic effect.
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