Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Bump Type Gas Foil Bearings: A Model Anchored to Test Data

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Tae Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Isothermal Condition ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Forced Cooling

The paper introduces a thermohydrodynamic (THD) model for prediction of gas foil bearing (GFB) performance. The model includes thermal energy transport in the gas film region and with cooling gas streams, inner or outer, as in typical rotor-GFBs systems. The analysis also accounts for material property changes and the bearing components’ expansion due to temperature increases and shaft centrifugal growth due to rotational speed. Gas inlet feed characteristics are thoroughly discussed in bearings whose top foil must detach, i.e., not allowing for subambient pressure. Thermal growths determine the actual bearing clearance needed for accurate prediction of GFB forced performance, static and dynamic. Model predictions are benchmarked against published measurements of (metal) temperatures in a GFB operating without a forced cooling gas flow. The tested foil bearing is proprietary; hence, its geometry and material properties are largely unknown. Predictions are obtained for an assumed bearing configuration, with bump-foil geometry and materials taken from prior art and best known practices. The predicted film peak temperature occurs just downstream of the maximum gas pressure. The film temperature is higher at the bearing middle plane than at the foil edges, as the test results also show. The journal speed, rather than the applied static load, influences more the increase in film temperature and with a larger thermal gradient toward the bearing sides. In addition, as in the tests conducted at a constant rotor speed and even for the lowest static load, the gas film temperature increases rapidly due to the absence of a forced cooling air that could carry away the recirculation gas flow and thermal energy drawn by the spinning rotor; predictions are in good agreement with the test data. A comparison of predicted static load parameters to those obtained from an isothermal condition shows the THD model producing a smaller journal eccentricity (larger minimum film thickness) and larger drag torque. An increase in gas temperature is tantamount to an increase in gas viscosity, hence, the noted effect in the foil bearing forced performance.

Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Bump Type Gas Foil Bearings: A Model Anchored to Test Data

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andre´s ◽  
Tae Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Isothermal Condition ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Forced Cooling

The paper introduces a thermohydrodynamic (THD) model for prediction of gas foil bearing (GFB) performance. The model includes thermal energy transport in the gas film region, and with cooling gas streams, inner or outer, as in typical rotor-GFBs systems. The analysis also accounts for material property changes and the bearing components’ expansion due to temperature rises and shaft centrifugal growth due to rotational speed. Gas inlet feed characteristics are thoroughly discussed in bearings whose top foil must detach, i.e., not allowing for subambient pressure. Thermal growths determine the actual bearing clearance needed for accurate prediction of GFB forced performance, static and dynamic. Model predictions are benchmarked against published measurements of (metal) temperatures in a GFB operating without a forced cooling gas flow. The tested foil bearing is proprietary; hence its geometry and material properties are largely unknown. Predictions are obtained for an assumed bearing configuration, with bump-foil geometry and materials taken from prior art and best known practices. The predicted film peak temperature occurs just downstream of the maximum gas pressure. The film temperature is higher at the bearing middle plane than at the foil edges, as the test results also show. The journal speed, rather than the applied static load, influences more the rise in film temperature and with a larger thermal gradient towards the bearing sides. In addition, as in the tests conducted at a constant rotor speed and even for the lowest static load, the gas film temperature increases rapidly due to the absence of a forced cooling air that could carry away the recirculation gas flow and thermal energy drawn by the spinning rotor, Predictions are in good agreement with the test data. A comparison of predicted static load parameters to those obtained from an isothermal condition shows the THD model producing a smaller journal eccentricity (larger minimum film thickness) and larger drag torque. A rise in gas temperature is tantamount to an increase in gas viscosity, hence the noted effect in the foil bearing forced performance.

Effect of Side Feed Pressurization on the Dynamic Performance of Gas Foil Bearings: A Model Anchored to Test Data

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Luis San Andre´s
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Mass Distributions ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Feed Pressure ◽  
Run Up ◽  
Forced Cooling

Comprehensive modeling of gas foil bearings (GFBs) anchored to reliable test data will enable the widespread usage of these bearings into novel high speed turbomachinery applications. GFBs often need a forced cooling gas flow, axially fed through one end of the bearing, for adequate thermal management. The paper presents rotordynamic response measurements on a rigid rotor supported on GFBs during rotor speed run-up and coastdown tests with the GFBs supplied with increasing feed gas pressures to 2.8 bar. Rotor speed run-up tests to 35 krpm show that bearing end side feed gas pressurization delays the onset speed of rotor subsynchronous whirl motions. The test data validate closely predictions of the threshold speed of instability and whirl frequency ratio derived from a GFB model that implements the axial evolution of gas circumferential flow velocity as a function of the imposed side feed pressure. Rotor speed coastdown tests from 25 krpm with a low feed pressure of 0.35 bar evidences a nearly linear synchronous rotor response for small and moderately large imbalance mass distributions. A structural FE rotordynamics model integrates linearized synchronous speed GFB force coefficients and predicts synchronous responses, amplitude and phase angle, agreeing with the test data. The analysis and measurements demonstrate the profound effect of end side, feed gas pressurization on the rotordynamic performance of GFBs.

Comparative Evaluation of Foil Bearings With Different Compliant Structures for Improved Manufacturability

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Shalash ◽  
J. Schiffmann
Keyword(s):  
Cantilever Beam ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Reduced Order ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Compliant Structure ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Local Stiffness ◽  
Beam Foil ◽  
Bearing System

Potential geometrical deviations in bump foil bearings due to manufacturing uncertainty can have significant effects on both the local stiffness and clearance, and hence, affecting the overall bearing performance. The manufacturing uncertainty of bump type foil bearings was investigated, showing large geometrical deviations, using a developed measurement tool for the formed bump foils. A reduced order foil bearing model was used in a Monte Carlo simulation studying the effect of manufacturing noise on the onset of instability, highlighting the sensitivity of the rotor-bearing system to such manufacturing deviations. It was found that 30% of the simulated cases resulted improvements in stability, the remaining cases underperformed. Attempting to increase the robustness of the bearing, two other compliant structures replacing the classical gen-II bump foils were investigated from a manufacturing perspective. The first is a modified bump type Sinusoidal foil, and the second is the Cantilever beam foil. Consequently, quasi-static load-displacement tests were executed showing deviations in local clearance and stiffness for the classical bump type compliant structure compared to the other designs. It was found that the Cantilever beam foils yield more robustness compared to the bump type foils. Finally, an analytical model for the sequential engagement of the compliant structure is presented and validated with experimental measurements for both bump type and Cantilever structures.

Effects of Mesh Density on Static Load Performance of Metal Mesh Gas Foil Bearings

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Bok Lee ◽  
Chang Ho Kim ◽  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Tae Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Stiffness Coefficient ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Rotor Spinning ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Mesh Density ◽  
Damping Loss Factor ◽  
Mesh Structures

Metal mesh materials have been used successfully in vibration isolators and bearing dampers due to their superior friction or hysteresis damping mechanism. These materials are formed to metal mesh (or wire mesh) structures in ring-shape by compressing a weave of metal wires, in general. Recently, oil-free rotating machinery implement metal mesh structures into hydrodynamic gas foil bearings by replacing bump strip layers with them, to increase its bearing structural damping. A metal mesh foil bearing (MMFB) consists of a top foil and support elastic metal mesh pads installed between a rotating shaft and a housing. The present research presents load capacity tests of a MMFB at rotor rest (0 rpm) and 30 krpm for three metal mesh densities of 13.1%, 23.2%, and 31.6%. The metal mesh pad of test MMFB is made using a stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.15 mm. Test rig comprises a rigid rotor with a diameter of 60 mm supported on two ball bearings at both ends and test MMFB with an axial length of 50 mm floats on the rotor. Static loads is provided with a mechanical loading device on test MMFB and a strain gauge type load cell measures the applied static loads. A series of static load versus deflection tests were conducted for selected metal mesh densities at rest (0 rpm). Test data are compared to further test results of static load versus journal eccentricity recorded at the rotor speed of 30 krpm. Test data show a strong nonlinearity of bearing deflection (journal eccentricity) with static load, independent of rotor spinning. Observed hysteresis loops imply significant structural damping of test MMFB. Measured journal deflections at 0 rpm are in similar trend to recorded journal eccentricities at the finite rotor speed, thus implying that the MMFB performance depends mainly on the metal mesh structures. The paper also estimates linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor of test MMFB using the measured static load versus deflection test data at 0 rpm and 30 krpm. The results show that the highest mesh density of 31.6% produces highest linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor. With rotor spinning at 30 krpm, the linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor decrease slightly, independent of metal mesh densities. The present test data will serve as a database for benchmarking MMFB predictive models.

The Wing Foil: A Novel Compliant Radial Foil Bearing Design

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik E. Swanson ◽  
P. Shawn O’Meara
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
High Performance ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Critical Speeds ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Support Element ◽  
Bearing Design ◽  
Multidimensional Array

To meet the challenging demands for high performance, affordable compliant foil bearings, a novel compliant support element has been developed. This recently patented, novel support element uses a multidimensional array of multiple, formed, cantilever “wing foil” tabs. The wing foil bearing has all the features required to achieve state of the art performance (Gen III for radial bearings). This paper describes two radial foil beings using the wing foil and the unique design features. Test data for a 31.75 mm diameter bearing operating in air and in steam up to 42 krpm are presented to demonstrate the performance of this bearing. It is shown to have low subsynchronous vibration and reasonable damping through rigid shaft critical speeds.

Thermal Management and Rotordynamic Performance of a Hot Rotor-Gas Foil Bearings System—Part II: Predictions Versus Test Data

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Keun Ryu ◽  
Tae Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
Test System ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
System Operating

Implementation of gas foil bearings (GFBs) in microgas turbines relies on physics based computational models anchored to test data. This two-part paper presents test data and analytical results for a test rotor and GFB system operating hot. A companion paper (Part I) describes a test rotor-GFB system operating hot to 157°C rotor OD temperature, presents measurements of rotor dynamic response and temperatures in the bearings and rotor, and includes a cooling gas stream condition to manage the system temperatures. The second part briefs on a thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) model for GFBs performance and presents predictions of the thermal energy transport and forced response, static and dynamic, in the tested gas foil bearing system. The model considers the heat flow from the rotor into the bearing cartridges and also the thermal expansion of the shaft and bearing cartridge and shaft centrifugal growth due to rotation. Predictions show that bearings’ ID temperatures increase linearly with rotor speed and shaft temperature. Large cooling flow rates, in excess of 100 l/min, reduce significantly the temperatures in the bearings and rotor. Predictions, agreeing well with recorded temperatures given in Part I, also reproduce the radial gradient of temperature between the hot shaft and the bearings ID, largest (37°C/mm) for the strongest cooling stream (150 l/min). The shaft thermal growth, more significant as the temperature grows, reduces the bearings operating clearances and also the minimum film thickness, in particular, at the highest rotor speed (30 krpm). A rotor finite element structural model and GFB force coefficients from the TEHD model are used to predict the test system critical speeds and damping ratios for operation at increasing shaft temperatures. In general, predictions of the rotor imbalance show good agreement with shaft motion measurements acquired during rotor speed coastdown tests. As the shaft temperature increases, the rotor peak motion amplitudes decrease and the system rigid-mode critical speed increases. The computational tool, benchmarked by the measurements, furthers the application of GFBs in high temperature oil-free rotating machinery.

Thermo-elastohydrodynamic analysis of the inhomogeneous foil bearing with misalignment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Li ◽  
Haipeng Geng ◽  
Hao Lin
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Equation ◽  
Energy Equation ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Gas Temperature ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rotor Systems ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Deformation Equation ◽  
Small Perturbation Method

Purpose The misalignment is generally inevitable in the process of machining and assembly of rotor systems with gas foil bearings, but the exploration on this phenomenon is relatively less. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to carry out the thermo-elastohydrodynamic analysis of the foil bearing with misalignment, especially the inhomogeneous foil bearing. Design/methodology/approach The rotor is allowed to misalign in two non-rotating directions. Then the static and dynamic performance of the inhomogeneous foil bearing is studied. The thermal-elastohydrodynamic analysis is realized by combining the Reynolds equation, foil deformation equation and energy equation. The small perturbation method is used to calculate the dynamic coefficients, then the critical whirl ratio is obtained. Findings The gas pressure, film thickness and temperature distribution distort when the misalignment appears. The rotor misalignment can improve the loading capacity but rise the gas temperature at the same time. Furthermore, the rotor misalignment can affect the critical whirl ratio which demonstrates that it is necessary to analyze the misalignment before the rotordynamic design. Originality/value The value of this paper is the exploration of the thermo-elastohydrodynamic performance of the inhomogeneous foil bearing with misalignment, the analysis procedure and the corresponding results are valuable for the design of turbo system with gas foil bearings.

Thermal Management and Rotordynamic Performance of a Hot Rotor-Gas Foil Bearings System: Part 2—Predictions Versus Test Data

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andre´s ◽  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Keun Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Test System ◽  
Forced Response ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
System Operating

Implementation of gas foil bearings (GFB) in micro gas turbines relies on physics based computational models anchored to test data. This two-part paper presents test data and analytical results for a test rotor and GFB system operating hot. A companion paper (Part 1) describes a test rotor-GFB system operating hot to 157°C rotor OD temperature, presents measurements of rotor dynamic response and temperatures in the bearings and rotor, and including a cooling gas stream condition to manage the system temperatures. The second part briefs on a thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) model for GFBs performance and presents predictions of the thermal energy transport and forced response, static and dynamic, in the tested gas foil bearing system. The model considers the heat flow from the rotor into the bearing cartridges and also the thermal expansion of the shaft and bearing cartridge and shaft centrifugal growth due to rotation. Predictions show that bearings’ ID temperatures increase linearly with rotor speed and shaft temperature. Large cooling flow rates, in excess of 100 L/min, reduce significantly the temperatures in the bearings and rotor. Predictions, agreeing well with recorded temperatures given in Part 1, also reproduce the radial gradient of temperature between the hot shaft and the bearings ID, largest (37°C/mm) for the strongest cooling stream (150 L/min). The shaft thermal growth, more significant as the temperature grows, reduces the bearings operating clearances and also the minimum film thickness, in particular at the highest rotor speed (30 krpm). A rotor finite element (FE) structural model and GFBs force coefficients from the TEHD model are used to predict the test system critical speeds and damping ratios for operation at increasing shaft temperatures. In general, predictions of the rotor imbalance show good agreement with shaft motion measurements acquired during rotor speed coastdown tests. As the shaft temperature increases, the rotor peak motion amplitudes decrease and the system rigid-mode critical speed increases. The computational tool, benchmarked by the measurements, furthers the application of GFBs in high temperature oil-free rotating machinery.

Thermohydrodynamic Model Predictions and Performance Measurements of Bump-Type Foil Bearing for Oil-Free Turboshaft Engines in Rotorcraft Propulsion Systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Luis San Andrés
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Critical Speed ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Performance Measurements ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Thermal Energy Transport ◽  
Motion Amplitude

An engineered thermal management is fundamental to the application of gas foil bearings (GFBs) as turboshaft supports in rotorcraft propulsion systems. The paper presents a model for the thermal energy transport in a rotor-GFB system operating at high temperature with typical inner and/or outer cooling flows. Predicted film temperatures agree with published test data, demonstrating the effectiveness of an outer cooling stream to remove heat and to control the operating temperature. The inner flow stream is not as efficient. The analysis shows paths of thermal energy by conduction and convection to assist in the design and troubleshooting of rotor-GFB systems operating hot. Bearing temperatures and shaft motions measurements are obtained in a test rotor electrically heated to 132°C. In speed-up tests to 26 krpm, the rotor motion amplitude drops suddenly just above the critical speed, thus, evidencing the typical hardening of compliant bearings. At the hottest test condition, since air is more viscous, the rotor peak motion amplitude decreases, not showing a jump. The coastdown tests show the critical speed increases slightly as the temperature increases.

Effects of Mesh Density on Static Load Performance of Metal Mesh Gas Foil Bearings

2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong-Bok Lee ◽  
Chang Ho Kim ◽  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Tae Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Test Data ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Stiffness Coefficient ◽  
Metal Mesh ◽  
Rotor Spinning ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Mesh Density ◽  
Damping Loss Factor ◽  
Mesh Structures

Metal mesh materials have been used successfully in vibration isolators and bearing dampers due to their superior friction or hysteresis damping mechanism. These materials are formed to metal mesh (or wire mesh) structures in ring-shape by compressing a weave of metal wires, in general. Recently, oil-free rotating machinery implement metal mesh structures into hydrodynamic gas foil bearings by replacing bump strip layers with them, to increase its bearing structural damping. A metal mesh foil bearing (MMFB) consists of a top foil and support elastic metal mesh pads installed between a rotating shaft and a housing. The present research presents load capacity tests of a MMFB at rotor rest (0 rpm) and 30 krpm for three metal mesh densities of 13.1%, 23.2%, and 31.6%. The metal mesh pad of test MMFB is made using a stainless steel wire with a diameter of 0.15 mm. Test rig comprises a rigid rotor with a diameter of 60 mm supported on two ball bearings at both ends and test MMFB with an axial length of 50 mm floats on the rotor. Static loads is provided with a mechanical loading device on test MMFB and a strain gauge type load cell measures the applied static loads. A series of static load versus deflection tests were conducted for selected metal mesh densities at rest (0 rpm). Test data are compared to further test results of static load versus journal eccentricity recorded at the rotor speed of 30 krpm. Test data show a strong nonlinearity of bearing deflection (journal eccentricity) with static load, independent of rotor spinning. Observed hysteresis loops imply significant structural damping of test MMFB. Measured journal deflections at 0 rpm are in similar trend to recorded journal eccentricities at the finite rotor speed; thus implying that the MMFB performance depends mainly on the metal mesh structures. The paper also estimates linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor of test MMFB using the measured static load versus deflection test data at 0 rpm and 30 krpm. The results show that the highest mesh density of 31.6% produces highest linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor. With rotor spinning at 30 krpm, the linearlized stiffness coefficient and damping loss factor decrease slightly, independent of metal mesh densities. The present test data will serve as a database for benchmarking MMFB predictive models.

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