Analysis of Transient Thermal Temperature Distribution Over Service Life of Taper Roller Bearing Using FEA

Abstract

Single row taper roller bearings are basically designed to withstand the radial load, axial load, and torque which results in generation of contact stresses. Generation of contact stresses will take place due to high speeds and heavy loads on bearing that can lead to failure of machine. Bearing life is limited by some of the common phenomena like wearing, smearing, flaking, etc. Bearing life can be enhanced by proper lubrication which separates roller with inner and outer rings. As prediction and validation of contact stresses experimentally is an arduous task, many researchers calculate theoretical method for approximate distribution of contact stresses on bearing race. Some of the methods are numerical method, finite element analysis (FEA) software, traditional method, and Hertz contact stress theory. In this paper, temperature behavior distribution in the bearing, contact stress, deformation of bearing rollers, and heat flux is analyzed by FEA tool. Inner race bearing surface and ball surface contact in bearings can cause an increase in temperature which may result in evaporation of lubricant due to improper heat dissipation and effect the service life of the bearing FEA results is compared with results obtained by Hertz theory to inspect the feasibility of bearing problem and its life. It is found that temperature distribution is 55 ℃ (maximum) at the inner ring, von Mises stress is 220.23 MPa, and heat flux is 0.61399 W/mm2, whereas result obtained by Hertz theory is 195.2821 MPa. Compariosn of FEA and analytical result, the error is found to be 12.77% analysis of increase in temperature through FEA is a useful tool for estimating the service life of bearings.