Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing Tests—Influence of Pivot Location

Test data are presented on the effect of circumferential pivot position on bearing temperature for two tilting pad thrust bearing designs. Pivots at 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the arc length were used. These tests follow earlier tests with a third design (pad support configuration), previously reported. The results indicate that pad temperatures decrease significantly as the pivot is advanced from the central (50 percent) position to at least the 70 percent position, and then tend to level, with some indications that a minimum is reached at about 75 percent.