Intermediate bearing refers to the bearing that supports the intermediate shaft in a ship's shaft system. In the past, two intermediate bearings were used to support one intermediate shaft, but now one intermediate bearing is used to support one intermediate shaft. There are two types of intermediate bearings: sliding bearings and rolling bearings. Currently, the vast majority of ships use sliding intermediate bearings. Although the friction coefficient of rolling bearings is relatively small, due to the fact that the inner ring of the rolling bearing needs to be inserted into the journal of the intermediate shaft, it is not allowed for the intermediate shaft to have a fixed flange. Therefore, detachable flange type couplings or hydraulic sleeve couplings must be used, making installation more complicated. The intermediate bearings are lubricated with lubricating oil and cooled with cooling water. Medium speed machines often use oil ring lubrication. The intermediate bearing is often installed near the connecting flange, and its body is cast of steel or cast iron, and is fixed on the base by through bolts. Usually, sliding intermediate bearings only have lower bearing shells, and their working surface is cast with white alloy. But in high-power devices with high rotational speeds, intermediate bearings are sometimes equipped with bearing shells. Some middle bearings on ships do not have bearing shells, and white alloy is directly cast onto the bearing body. In management, attention should be paid to the lubrication and cooling of bearings to reduce surface scratches and other damage to the shaft neck.

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