scholarly journals On the Possibilities of Decreasing Power Loss in Large Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Wasilczuk ◽  
Grzegorz Rotta

Different systems of direct oil supply have been developed in order to facilitate efficient introduction of fresh lubricant to the oil gap and reduction of churning power loss in tilting pad thrust bearings. Up to now there is no documented application of the supply groove in large thrust bearings used in water power plants. The results of modeling lubricant flow in the lubricating groove of a thrust bearing pad will be presented in the paper. CFD software was used to carry out fluid film calculations. Such analysis makes it possible to modify groove geometry and other parameters and to study their influence on bearing performance. According to the results a remarkable decrease in total power loss due to avoiding churning losses can be observed in the bearing.

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.


1961 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Sternlicht ◽  
J. C. Reid ◽  
E. B. Arwas

This is the first of three papers on the results of a recently completed study of the performance of tilting pad thrust bearings. It describes a method of analysis that was worked out for these bearings, which includes viscosity variations in the fluid film and an approximate calculation of the pad deflections caused by the hydrodynamic pressures. Equilibrium of moments is satisfied, laminar and adiabatic conditions are assumed, and the lubricant is incompressible. The two subsequent papers of this series will describe: (a) The results of an analysis which includes a more rigorous determination of pad deflections caused by hydrodynamic pressures and thermal gradients. (b) A comparison of analytical results with experimental data obtained in full-scale bearing tests.


1976 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Capitao ◽  
R. S. Gregory ◽  
R. P. Whitford

A comparison of the high-speed performance characteristics of tilting-pad, self-equalizing type thrust bearings through two independent full-scale programs is reported. This paper presents experimental data on centrally pivoted, 6-pad, 267-mm (10 1/2-in.) and 304-mm (12-in.) O.D. bearings operating at shaft speeds up to 14000 rpm and bearing loads ranging up to 2.76 MPa (400 psi). Data presented demonstrate the effects of speed and loading on bearing power loss and metal temperatures. Included is a discussion of optimum oil supply flow rate based upon considerations of bearing pad temperatures and power loss values.


1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Mikula

This paper compares the leading edge groove and pressurized supply (flooded) lubricant supply methods, and analyzes their influence on the performance of equalizing tilting pad thrust bearings. This paper presents new experimental data on 6-shoe, 267 mm (10 1/2 in.) O.D. bearings, operating at shaft speeds up to 14000 rpm, with loads ranging up to 3.45 MPa (500 psi) for two different lubricants. The data presented details the power loss and babbitt temperature performance of two versions of the leading-edge-groove bearing design and contrasts the results with a pressurized supply bearing design.


Author(s):  
F. A. Martin

Two slide chart design aids are developed for tilting pad thrust bearings in order ( a) to give guidance on load-carrying capacity, considering such limits as allowable oil film thickness and maximum pad temperature, and ( b) to enable the designer to estimate directly the total power loss in double thrust bearing assemblies. These slide charts (each consisting of two sheets) enable variables such as pad size, number of pads, oil specification, specific load, and collar speed to be considered individually. Thus the designer has a tool from which he can obtain a ‘feel’ for bearing performance and see at a glance the interplay between all the variables.


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.


1974 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Gregory

As part of a continuing research program, a standard 10 1/2 in. dia thrust bearing, of the tilting-pad, self-equalizing type, was tested at shaft speeds up to 11,000 rpm and bearing loads ranging up to 400 psi. The bearing and lube oil system were instrumented to measure bearing performance under laminar and turbulent operating conditions. The effects of varying the oil feed rate on bearing temperature and power loss are discussed in this paper. Some observations on the laminar to turbulent transition region are included.


1976 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Capitao

A full scale experimental program was conducted to investigate the influence of fluid film turbulence on the performance of the tilting-pad, self-equalizing type thrust bearing. Test results include data on centrally pivoted, 6-pad, 381-mm (15-in.) and 432-mm (17-in.) O.D. bearings operating with shaft speeds up to 10000 rpm and bearing loads ranging up to 3.447 MPa (500 psi). Data collected include bearing metal temperatures, bearing power loss, and observation of the laminar to turbulent transition range.


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.


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