Predicted Performance Characteristics of Hybrid, Fluid-Equalized, Tilting-Pad Thrust Bearings

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Shapiro ◽  
R. Graham ◽  
G. Anderson

The concept of a fluid-equalized, tilting-pad thrust bearing is presented. Load augmentation is introduced by external pressurization through the pad pivots. Performance characteristics were obtained for two different external hybrid supply systems. One system is completely independent of the equalizing system; the other utilizes a common supply and equalization system with separate control pads fixed to the support structure. The bearing retains (and may improve upon) the advantages of equalization and alignment inherent in hydrodynamic tilting-pad, leveling-link thrust bearings and permits significantly added load capacity.

1974 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Capitao

The influence of fluid film turbulence on the performance of centrally-pivoted tilting pad thrust bearings was analyzed. Major features of the analysis are: (1) today’s two predominant “engineering” turbulent flow theories are delineated and their quantitative predictions compared; (2) a spherical pad profile was assumed, and (3) an equal area technique was used in the finite difference equations. The results confirmed earlier predictions of increases in power loss and load capacity when compared to a laminar solution. Also, no significant differences were found between the results predicted by the two predominant turbulent flow theories. Power loss, load capacity, and hydrodynamic oil flow are given for 13, 15, and 17 in. sizes. Comparisons of laminar and turbulent numerical results are presented.


1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Etsion ◽  
D. P. Fleming

A flat sector shaped pad geometry for gas lubricated thrust bearings is analyzed considering both pitch and roll angles of the pad and the true film thickness distribution. Maximum load capacity is achieved when the pad is tilted so as to create a uniform minimum film thickness along the pad trailing edge. Performance characteristics for various geometries and operating conditions of gas thrust bearings are presented in the form of design curves. A comparison is made with the rectangular slider approximation. It is found that this approximation is unsafe for practical design, since it always overestimates load capacity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangcheng Xu ◽  
Jianhua Chu ◽  
Wenlin Luan ◽  
Guang Zhao

Abstract In this paper, single-bump foil models with different thickness and double-bump foil models with different initial clearances are established. The structural stiffness and equivalent viscous damping of double-bump foil and single-bump foil are analyzed by finite element simulation. The results show that the double-layer bump foil has variable stiffness and the displacement of the upper bump is greater than the initial gap when the two-layer bumps contact. A model for obtaining static characteristics of aerodynamic compliant foil thrust bearing is established on the basis of the stiffness characteristics of the double-bump foil. This paper solves gas Reynolds equation, the gas film thickness equation and the foil stiffness characteristic equation via the finite element method and the finite difference method. The static characteristics of the thrust bearings including the bearing pressure distribution, the gas film thickness and the friction power consumption have been obtained. The static characteristics of two kinds of foils have been compared and analyzed, and the effect of initial clearance on the static performance of double-bump foil bearings is studied. The results show that the double-bump foil structure can effectively improve the load capacity of thrust bearing. In addition, the static performance of double-bump foil thrust bearings is between the performance of the single-bump foil bearing and the double-bump foil bearing whose foil’s clearance is zero. The smaller the initial clearance is, the easier it will be to form a stable double-bump foil supporting structure.


Author(s):  
Jason Wilkes ◽  
Ryan Cater ◽  
Erik Swanson ◽  
Kevin Passmore ◽  
Jerry Brady

Abstract This paper will show the influence of ambient pressure on the thrust capacity of bump-foil and spiral-groove gas thrust bearings. The bearings were operating in nitrogen at various pressures up to 69 bar, and were tested to failure. Failure was detected at various pressures by incrementally increasing the thrust load applied to the thrust bearing until the bearing was no longer thermally stable, or until contact was observed by a temperature spike measured by thermocouples within the bearing. These tests were performed on a novel thrust bearing test rig that was developed to allow thrust testing at pressures up to 207 bar cavity pressure at 260°C while rotating at speeds up to 120,000 rpm. The test rig floats on hydrostatic air bearings to allow for the direct measurement of applied thrust load through linkages that connect the stationary thrust loader to the rotor housing. Test results on a 65 mm (2.56 in) bump-foil thrust bearing at 100 krpm show a marked increase in load capacity with gas density, which has not previously been shown experimentally. Results also show that the load capacity of a similarly sized spiral-groove thrust bearing are relatively insensitive to pressure, and supported an order-of-magnitude less load than that observed for the bump-foil thrust bearing. These results are compared with analytical predictions, which agree reasonably with the experimental results. Predicted power loss is also presented for the bump-foil bearing; however, measured power loss was substantially higher.


2011 ◽  
Vol 368-373 ◽  
pp. 1392-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Zhou ◽  
Yu Hou ◽  
Ru Gang Chen

Because of the low power loss and high stability, foil bearings are suitable lubrication components for high speed rotational systems. At present, the foil bearings used in actual applications almost have complicated structure and are hard to manufacture. In this paper, two kinds of foil thrust bearings with simple structure are presented. Configurations of these two foil thrust bearings are introduced; meanwhile, the load capacity and running stability are also tested in a high speed micro turbine. It is shown that viscoelastic supported foil thrust bearing has higher load capacity and hemisphere convex dots supported foil thrust bearing is more stable in high speed operational condition.


1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Mikula ◽  
R. S. Gregory

This paper compares three different lubricant supply methods—pressurized supply (flooded), spray feed, and leading edge distribution groove—and analyzes their influence on the performance of tilting pad, equalizing thrust bearings. The paper presents experimental data on 267 mm (10-1/2 in.) o.d. bearings, operating at shaft speeds up to 13,000 rpm with loads ranging up to 3.45 MPa (500 psi). The data presented demonstrate the effect each lubricant supply method has on bearing power loss and temperature. Conclusions are drawn, based upon the effectiveness of each design, to guide the potential user.


2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei B. Glavatskikh

The paper reports results of the experimental investigation into the steady state performance characteristics of a tilting pad thrust bearing typical of design in general use. Simultaneous measurements are taken of the pad and collar temperatures, the pressure distributions, oil film thickness, and power loss as a function of shaft speed, bearing load, and supplied oil temperature. The effect of operating conditions on bearing performance is discussed. A small radial temperature variation is observed in the collar. A reduction in minimum oil film thickness with load is approximately proportional to p−0.6, where p is an average bearing pressure. It has also been found that the oil film pressure profiles change not only due to the average bearing load but also with an increase in shaft speed and temperature of the supplied oil.


1999 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiasheng Zhu ◽  
Kyosuke Ono

In this paper, the static and dynamic performance of herringbone, step-pocket, taper-pocket, and taper-flat thrust bearings were numerically analyzed. Optimal values for the design parameters of each type of bearing were analyzed in terms of both maximum axial stiffness (kzz) and maximum ratio of axial stiffness to friction torque (kzz/T) and bearing performance for both cases was calculated. The optimal performance characteristics of these bearings were compared in terms of application to hard disk spindles. Step-pocket and taper-pocket thrust bearings are superior to herringbone and taper-flat thrust bearings with respect to both the maximum kkk and the maximum kzz/T conditions. It was found that the dams of thrust bearings with pockets play an important part in improving the hearing performance. It was made clear that the taper-pocket and the taper-flat thrust bearings have a much larger load capacity than the other two types of thrust bearings in the proximity of zero clearance.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Artiles ◽  
H. Heshmat

A method of analysis is described treating starvation in finite thrust bearing pads. A variable-size finite difference mesh is used to represent the two-dimensional temperature and pressure fields. A combination of Newton-Raphson iteration, direct iteration, and column matrix methods are used to solve for the start-of-film and minimum film thickness as well as the coupled two-dimensional energy and Reynolds equations. A parametric study describes the performance characteristics of the tapered land thrust bearing (flowrates, extent of fluid film, temperature rises, load capacity and torque) for different minimum film thicknesses and levels of starvation. This study considered variations in the geometrical parameters such as pad aspect ratio (L/R2=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) and extent of the pad (β=27, 42, and 57 deg) with an optimum taper ratio (β1/β=0.8). It is found that the effects of starvation are fairly small near the flooded condition but accelerate rapidly below the 50 percent starvation level. The start of the film (θ1) depends mostly on the level of starvation, and is essentially independent of the geometrical parameters, operating conditions or film thickness.


2002 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. Pettinato ◽  
P. DeChoudhury

The paper discusses the redesign of a high-speed turbocharger for improved bearing life and mechanical operation. The bearings were changed from a pair of combination journal/thrust bearings to a pair of redesigned journal bearings with double acting thrust bearing at the center of the unit. Internal oil passages, drain cavities, and seals were also revised. These modifications resulted in reduced oil leakage across end seals, reduced coke buildup at the turbine, increased thrust load capacity, and improved rotordynamics. Both the analytical and experimental results, which consisted of bearing performance and vibration data of original and modified systems are presented.


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