Experimental Analysis of the Start-Up Torque of a Mildly Loaded Foil Thrust Bearing1

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihaï Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier ◽  
Emelyne Renard
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Static Loads ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

The paper deals with the experimental analysis of the torque and of the lift-off velocity of a foil thrust bearing. The geometric characteristics of the foil thrust bearing follow the design recently proposed by Dykas et al. (2009, “Design, Fabrication, and Performance of Foil Gas Thrust Bearings for Microturbomachinery Applications,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 131(1), p. 012301-1). A dedicated test rig was developed and enables the measurement of the speed, the torque, and temperatures under the foils. The measurements underlined the importance of managing heat transfer in a foil thrust bearing. Results are presented for mild static loads ranging from 5 to 60 N and rotation speeds comprised between 20 and 35 krpm. The value of the start-up torque was validated by comparisons with results obtained with a rapid camera.

Experimental Analysis of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Foil Thrust Bearing

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihai Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Equivalent Damping ◽  
Start Up ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

This paper deals with the experimental analysis of the dynamic characteristics of a foil thrust bearing (FTB) designed according to specifications given by NASA scientists in 2009 (Dykas et al., 2009, “Design, Fabrication, and Performance of Foil Gas Thrust Bearings for Microturbomachinery Applications,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 131(1), p. 012301). The present work details the new configuration of the same test rig that was used to test start-up characteristics of the aforementioned bearing (Balducchi et al., 2013, “Experimental Analysis of the Start-Up Torque of a Mildly Loaded Foil Thrust Bearing,” ASME J. Tribol., 135(3), p. 031703). The rig has been reconfigured to test dynamic characteristics. The dynamic characteristics of the bump foil structure were measured for static loads comprised between 30 N and 150 N while measurements for the FTB were performed at 35 krpm for 30 N, 60 N, and 90 N. Excitation frequencies were comprised between 150 Hz and 750 Hz. Results showed that the dynamic stiffness of the FTB increase with excitation frequency while the equivalent damping decreases. Both stiffness and damping increase with the static load but are smaller at 35 krpm compared to 0 rpm.

Experimental Analysis of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Foil Thrust Bearing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihai Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Equivalent Damping ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

The paper deals with the experimental analysis of the dynamic characteristics of a foil thrust bearing (FTB) designed following the specifications given by NASA in 2009. The start-up characteristics of the same foil bearing were investigated in a recently published paper. The test rig used for start-up measurements was adapted for dynamic measurements. The paper presents the test rig in detail as well as its identified dynamic models. Measurements of the dynamic characteristics of the bump foil structure were performed for static loads comprised between 30 N and 150 N while measurements for the FTB were performed at 35 krpm for 30 N, 60 N and 90 N. Excitation frequencies were comprised between 150 Hz and 750 Hz. Results showed that the dynamic stiffness of the FTB increase with excitation frequency while the equivalent damping decreases. Both stiffness and damping increase with the static load but are smaller at 35 krpm compared to 0 rpm.

The Influence of Ambient Pressure on the Measured Load Capacity of Bump-Foil and Spiral-Groove Gas Thrust Bearings at Ambient Pressures up to 69 Bar on a Novel High-Pressure Gas Bearing Test Rig

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Wilkes ◽  
Ryan Cater ◽  
Erik Swanson ◽  
Kevin Passmore ◽  
Jerry Brady
Keyword(s):  
Power Loss ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Spiral Groove ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Thrust Load

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.

Static Characteristics of Gas Foil Thrust Bearing Based on Gas Rarefaction Model

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajia Yan ◽  
Guanghui Zhang ◽  
Zhansheng Liu ◽  
Fan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Reynolds Equation ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Rarefied Gas ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Lubricating Film ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

A modified Reynolds equation for bump type gas foil thrust bearing was established with consideration of the gas rarefaction coefficient. Under rarefied gas lubrication, the Knudsen number which was affected by the film thickness and pressure was introduced to the Reynolds equation. The coupled modified Reynolds and lubricating film thickness equations were solved using Newton-Raphson Iterative Method and Finite Difference Method. By calculating the load capacity for increasing rotor speeds, the lift-off speed under certain static load was obtained. Parametric studies for a series of structural parameters and assembled clearances were carried out for bearing optimization design. The results indicate that with gas rarefaction effect, the axial load capacity would be decreased, and the lift-off speed would be improved. The rarefied gas has a more remarkable impact under a lower rotating speed and a smaller foil compliance coefficient. When the assembled clearance of the thrust bearing rotor system lies in a small value, the lift-off speed increases dramatically as the assembled clearance decreases further. Therefore, the axial clearance should be controlled carefully in assembling the foil thrust bearing. It’s worth noting that the linear uniform bump foil stiffness model is not exact for large foil compliance ∼0.5, especially for lift-off speed analysis, due to ignoring the interaction between bumps and bending stiffness of the foil.

Hybrid Magnetic/Foil Bearing System for an Oil-Free Thrust Bearing Test Rig

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Russell ◽  
Crystal Heshmat ◽  
Dennis Locke
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Material ◽  
Control System ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Material Selection ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Electronic Control ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Electronic Control System ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

A novel, high-speed, high temperature, oil-free, foil thrust bearing test rig has been developed with a critical element being a double-acting, active magnetic thrust bearing. The magnetic thrust bearing is used to react against loads applied to the foil thrust bearing under test. The magnetic bearing has the capability of reacting against thrust loads of up to 2224 N (500 pounds) at speeds to 80,000 rpm, while the rotor is supported by foil journal bearings. Two issues that are especially challenging for this test rig are magnetic material selection and the electronic control system. The magnetic material selection is critical due to the high centrifugal stresses that occur at 80,000 rpm. The electronic control system must handle the non-linear variation in stiffness and damping that is seen by the magnetic thrust bearing as the foil thrust bearing is loaded, as well as maintain rotor system stability as the foil bearing is purposefully overloaded to the point of failure to discover maximum load and performance capabilities. This paper describes the design of the active magnetic thrust bearing, the material selection process, and the development of a digital signal processor based control system. Typical experimental data obtained during operation of the test rig will also be presented.

On the performance of foil thrust bearing with misaligned bearing runner

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelrasoul M. Gad
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Approximation Technique ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effect ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

Purpose Compliant foil thrust bearings are promising bearings for high-speed oil-free turbomachinery. However, most previous experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the performance of these bearings have ignored the effect of bearing runner misalignment. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effects of static and dynamic angular misalignments of the bearing runner on the performance of a gas-lubricated foil thrust bearing. Design/methodology/approach The bearing runner is allowed a maximum angular misalignment that produces a minimum gas film thickness as low as 20 per cent of the nominal clearance. Then, the variations of bearing load carrying capacity, viscous power loss and stiffness and damping coefficients of the gas film with runner misalignment are thoroughly analyzed. The flow in the gas film is modeled with compressible Reynolds equation along with the Couette approximation technique, and the deformation of the compliant bearing is calculated with a robust analytical model. Small perturbations method is used to calculate the force and moment dynamic coefficients of the gas film. Findings The results show that misaligned foil thrust bearings are capable of developing a restoring moment sufficient enough to withstand the imposed misalignments. Furthermore, the enhanced hydrodynamic effect ensures a stable operation of the misaligned bearing, and the results highlighted the role of the compliant bearing structure to maintain foil bearing prominent features even at misaligned conditions. Originality/value The value of this study is the evaluation of the effects of runner angular misalignments on the static and dynamic characteristics of Generation II bump-type foil thrust bearing.

Some Effects of Start-Up and Shut-Down on Thrust Bearing Assemblies in Hydro-Generators

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Ettles ◽  
J. Seyler ◽  
M. Bottenschein
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Thermal Bending ◽  
Run Up ◽  
Basic Studies

The modernization of hydro-generators can involve the analysis of many different manufacturer’s designs of thrust bearings. Recent designs of bearing in common use are very reliable, but when failures do occur, it is often with older machines and within the first few minutes of start-up. This paper is a result of general design studies of various thrust bearing configurations subjected to transient operating conditions. It is shown that transient effects can induce an ‘overshoot’ of thermal deformation which can become unstable, leading to ‘thermal ratchetting.’ Examples are given of pads of various manufacturer’s bearings that have been subjected to this mechanism. Results from operating turbines, basic studies and measurements of the thermal bending of plates indicate that a peak deflection occurs well before thermal equilibrium is attained. The peaking phenomenon may be obscured in some designs or in cases where the run-up is gradual. The beneficial effects of using an oil-lift system during start-up are described. During shut-down it is important that the contact of hot, crowned pads against the runner be prevented. Minimum times for operation of the lift system are suggested, based on the thickness of the pads.

Development of Foil Thrust Bearings with Simple Structure for Micro Turbines

2011 ◽  
Vol 368-373 ◽  
pp. 1392-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Zhou ◽  
Yu Hou ◽  
Ru Gang Chen
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Simple Structure ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Complicated Structure ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Rotational Systems ◽  
Micro Turbine ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

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.

Experimental Analyses of a First Generation Foil Bearing: Start-Up Torque and Dynamic Coefficients

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Rudloff ◽  
Mihai Arghir ◽  
Olivier Bonneau ◽  
Pierre Matta
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Base Plate ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Dynamic Coefficients ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

The paper presents the results of the experimental analysis of static and dynamic characteristics of a generation 1 foil bearing of 38.1 mm diameter and L/D = 1. The test rig is of floating bearing type, the rigid shaft being mounted on ceramic ball bearings and driven up to 40 krpm. Two different casings are used for start-up and for measurement of dynamic coefficients. In its first configuration, the test rig is designed to measure the start-up torque. The foil bearing casing is made of two rings separated by a needle bearing for enabling an almost torque free rotation between the foil bearing and the static load. The basic results are the start up torque and the lift off speed. In its second configuration a different casing is used for measuring the impedances of the foil bearing. Misalignment is a problem that is minimized by using three flexible stingers connecting the foil bearing casing to the base plate of the test rig. The test rig enables the application of a static load and of the dynamic excitation on the journal bearing casing, and can measure displacements, forces and accelerations. Working conditions consisted of static loads comprised between 10 N and 50 N and rotation frequencies ranging from 260 Hz to 590 HZ. Excitation frequencies comprised between 100 Hz are 600 Hz are applied by two orthogonally mounted shakers for each working condition. Stiffness and damping coefficients are identified from the complex impedances and enable the calculation of natural frequencies. The experimental results show that the dynamic characteristics of the tested bearing have a weak dependence on the rotation speed but vary with the excitation frequency.

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