Alleviating thermal challenges in hydrodynamic bearings: A novel approach through thrust bearing pads with embedded cooling circuitry and deep recess

Abstract

At high speeds minimization of operating temperature is the critical design objective in hydrodynamic thrust bearings. During the high speed operations of heavy duty machines high temperatures are generated in thrust bearings due to vigorous viscous shearing of lubricant oil film. Under such circumstances thermal effects gain critical importance. Consequences of thermal effects include pad deformation, increased wear, material degradation etc. in hydrodynamic bearings. This research explores a pioneering approach to mitigate thermal challenges by integrating deep recesses and cooling circuitry in thrust bearing pads. The integrated design facilitates enhanced heat dissipation and load carrying capacity along with optimized lubrication process. In this study CFD (CFX) simulation code is used to numerically evaluate the effect of hybrid bearing configuration (conventional thrust pad equipped with deep recess and embedded cooling circuitry) on the performance parameters of thrust bearing. The simulation results confirm an appreciable decrease in maximum pad temperature and thermal pad deformation. The maximum pad temperature decreased from 85℃ to 71℃. Similarly value of thermal pad deformation decreased from 36 µm to 24 µm. The outcomes hold promise for enhancing the thermal performance of existing machinery and inspiring the development of next-generation thrust bearing systems, marking a transformative advancement in the field of mechanical engineering.