Design Optimization of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings for Maximum Load Capacity1

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Moonsung Park ◽  
Tae Won Lee
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Ideal Gas ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Film Pressure ◽  
Thrust Bearings

The aim of the present study is to develop a design guideline to improve the load capacity of gas foil thrust bearings (GFTBs). The Reynolds equation for an isothermal isoviscous ideal gas calculates the gas film pressure. The film pressure averaged in the radial direction determines the ultimate load capacity. The load capacity, film pressure profile, and film thickness profile are predicted for a GFTB with an outer radius of 55 mm, inner radius of 30 mm, and eight foils each of arc length 45 deg. The predictions show that the load capacity of the GFTB increases with increasing rotor speed and decreasing minimum film thickness. A parametric study, in which the ramp extent (or inclined angle) is increased from 5 deg to 40 deg, and the ramp height from 0 to 320 μm, reveals that GFTBs have an optimal ramp extent of ∼22.5 deg and ramp height of 30 μm for maximum load capacity. A series of maximum load capacity measurements are conducted on four test GFTBs with ramp heights of 50, 150, 250, and 350 μm at the speeds of 12, 15, and 18 krpm. To estimate the maximum load capacity, the applied load is increased until the drag torque rises suddenly with a sharp peak. The test results show that the maximum load capacity generally increases for decreasing ramp height and for increasing rotor speed. The GFTB with a ramp height of 50 μm shows the largest maximum load capacity of 510 N, for example. Test results are in good agreement with model predictions.

Design Optimization of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings for Maximum Load Capacity

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Tae Won Lee
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Drag Torque ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Film Pressure ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness

Improvement of the load capacity of gas foil thrust bearings (GFTBs) is important to broadening their application in oil-free microturbomachinery (<250 kW) with high power density. Although GFTBs have the significant advantage of low friction without the use of lubrication systems compared to oil film thrust bearings, their inherently low load capacity has limited their application. The aim of the present study was to develop a design guideline for increasing the load capacity of GFTBs. The Reynolds equation for an isothermal isoviscous ideal gas was used to calculate the gas film pressure. To predict the ultimate load capacity of the GFTB, the pressure was averaged in the radial direction of the gas flow field used to deflect the foil structure. The load capacity, film pressure profile, and film thickness profile were predicted for a GFTB with an outer radius of 55 mm, inner radius of 30 mm, and eight foils each of arc length 45°. The predictions showed that the load capacity of the GFTB increased with increasing rotor speed and decreasing minimum film thickness, and was always lower than the analytically determined limit value for infinite rotor speed (obtained by simple algebraic equations). A parametric study in which the ramp extent (or inclined angle) was increased from 5° to 40°, and the ramp height from 0 to 0.320 mm, revealed that the GFTB had an optimal ramp extent of ∼22.5° and ramp height of ∼0.030 mm for maximum load capacity. Interestingly, the optimal values were also valid for a rigid-surface bearing. The predicted load capacities for a ramp extent of ∼22.5° and increasing ramp height from 0.030 to 0.320 mm were compared with experimental data obtained from a previous work. The predictions for a ramp height of 0.155 mm were in good agreement with the experimental data for all three test GFTBs with outer radii of 45, 50, and 55 mm, respectively. In addition, this paper shows that the predicted drag torque increases linearly with increasing rotor speed and decreasing minimum film thickness, and nonlinearly with decreasing ramp height. The drag torque significantly increased only for ramp heights below the optimal value. The predictions imply that the optimal ramp height improves the load capacity of the GFTB with little change in the drag torque.

An Accurate Solution of the Gas Lubricated, Flat Sector Thrust Bearing

1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Etsion ◽  
D. P. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Accurate Solution ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Practical Design ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness

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.

Theoretical Study on Static Performance of Double-Bump Foil Bearings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangcheng Xu ◽  
Jianhua Chu ◽  
Wenlin Luan ◽  
Guang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Static Characteristics ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Initial Clearance

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.

Analysis of Starved Thrust Bearings Including Temperature Effects

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Artiles ◽  
H. Heshmat
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Direct Iteration ◽  
Finite Thrust ◽  
Raphson Iteration

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.

Inertia Effects in Hydrostatic Thrust Bearings

1961 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Dowson
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Velocity Component ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Axial Direction ◽  
Fluid Element ◽  
Inertia Effects ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Parallel Surface ◽  
Rotating Surface ◽  
Correct Location

This paper includes the predominant inertia terms in an analysis of hydrostatic thrust bearings. The influence of centripetal accelerations on the distribution of pressure is found to be considerable. For parallel surface bearings of constant film thickness the inertia effects are found to be detrimental to load capacity. In a stepped bearing however correct location of the step can result in an increased load capacity at speed. No increase in load capacity can result from inertia effects if the step radius is less than 0.4508 of the bearing radius. A consequence of the inclusion of inertia terms in the analysis is the existence of a velocity component in the axial direction. Even in the parallel surface bearing considered a fluid element is found to move toward the rotating surface as it spirals through the clearance space.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Air Laut terhadap Kapasitas Beban pada Balok Beton Bertulang yang Diperkuat GFRP-S dengan Perendaman selama Satu Tahun

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Asri Mulya Setiawan ◽  
Erniati Bachtiar
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Test Material ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Soaking Time ◽  
Test Objects

The test results on specimens without GFRP-S reinforcement showed that there was a decrease in load capacity for BN0 specimens of 1.383%. Decrease in BN6 test material capacity after soaking sea water for 6 months. Whereas for specimens with reinforcement of GFRP-S shows a decrease in maximum load on BF6 and BF12 specimens against BF0 test objects. The percentage of decrease in loads is 3.898% and 4.285%, respectively. Decreased load capacity of BF12 specimens after 12 months of seawater immersion. This is due to a decrease in the capacity of the bond on the GFRP along with the soaking time, thus accelerating the occurrence of debonding.

Thermal Optimization of Air Foil Thrust Bearings Using Different Foil Materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Rieken ◽  
Marcel Mahner ◽  
Bernhard Schweizer
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Base Plate ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Stick Slip ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Cooling Flow ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Rotor Disk

Abstract Air foil bearings are used in turbomachinery applications with high speeds and in oil-free environments. Their numerical analysis has to account for the multiphysicality of the problem. This work features a detailed thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic model of an air foil thrust bearing with bump-type foil-structure. The bearing geometry is designed to produce a high load capacity while maintaining thermally stable conditions. The presented model considers foil deformations using a Reissner–Mindlin-type shell theory. Dry friction (stick-slip approach) between the top foil, the bump foil, and the base plate is taken into account in the model. Reynolds equation from the lubrication theory is used to study the hydrodynamic behavior of the air film. A thermal model of the lubricating gap, the foil sandwich, and the rotor disk including heat fluxes into the rotor and the periphery as well as a cooling flow on the backside of the rotor disk are presented. Elastic deformations of the rotor disk due to centrifugal effects are calculated; deformations caused by temperature gradients are investigated as well. In air foil thrust bearings, very high temperatures are often observed and a forced cooling flow through the foil sandwich has to be applied. Using a cooling flow by applying a pressure difference between the inner and outer radius of the thrust bearing has several drawbacks: the additional cooling flow reduces the overall efficiency of the machine and requires additional constructive measures. In this work, a passive cooling concept is analyzed, where the typical steel foils are replaced with other materials, which have a significantly higher thermal conductivity. The simulation results show that the bearing temperatures can be reduced markedly (up to 70 °C in the considered test case) by this approach.

Numerical Investigation on the Mixed Lubrication Performance of Water-Lubricated Coupled Journal and Thrust Bearings

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfeng Han ◽  
Guo Xiang ◽  
Jiaxu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Hydrodynamic Pressure ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Eccentricity Ratio ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Lubrication Performance

Abstract The mixed lubrication performance of water-lubricated coupled journal and thrust bearing (simplified as coupled bearing) is investigated by a developed numerical model. To ensure the continuity of hydrodynamic pressure and flow at the common boundary between the journal and thrust bearing, the conformal transformation is introduced to unify the solution domain of the Reynolds equation. In the presented study, the coupled effects between the journal and thrust bearing are discussed. The effects of the thrust bearing geometric film thickness on the mixed lubrication performance, including the load capacity, contact load and friction coefficient, of the journal bearing are investigated. And the effects of the journal bearing eccentricity ratio on the mixed lubrication performance of the thrust bearing are also investigated. The simulated results indicate the mutual effects between the journal and thrust bearing cannot be ignored in the coupled bearing system. The increasing thrust bearing geometric film thickness generates a decrease in load capacity of journal bearing. There exists an optimal eccentricity ratio of journal bearing that yields the minimum friction coefficient of the thrust bearing.

Rayleigh Step Journal Bearing, Part II—Incompressible Fluid

1969 ◽  
Vol 91 (4) ◽  
pp. 641-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Hamrock ◽  
W. J. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Thickness Ratio ◽  
Infinite Length ◽  
One Step ◽  
Bearing Part

A theoretical analysis of the pressure distribution, load, capacity, and attitude angle for a single-step concentric as well as a multistep infinite length eccentric Rayleigh step journal bearing is performed. The results from the single-step concentric analysis indicated that the maximum load capacity is obtained when the film thickness ratio is 1.7 and the ratio of the angle subtended by the ridge to the angle subtended by the pad is 0.35. The results from the infinite length eccentric analysis indicated that one step placed around the journal was optimal. For eccentricity ratios greater than or equal to 0.2 the maximum load occurred for a bearing without a step or a Sommerfeld bearing. For eccentricity ratios less than 0.2 the optimal film thickness ratio is 1.7 while there are three optimal ratios of angle subtended by the ridge to the angle subtended by the pad of 0.4, 0.45, and 0.5 depending on whether load capacity or stability or both load capacity and stability is more important in the application being considered.

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