Effect of varying stiffness of top foil on the performance of Air foil thrust bearing (AFTB)

Abstract

Air foil thrust bearings (AFTB) are essential components in various rotating machinery, such as gas turbines and turbochargers, designed to support higher loads while minimizing friction and wear. The project aims to investigate the effect of varying stiffness of the top foil on the performance of air foil thrust bearings. The stiffness of the top foil is a critical parameter that influences the bearing's load-carrying capacity, stability, and overall efficiency. The geometric parameters like foil geometry, sector angle of top foil, initial angle of top foil and thickness of top foil and operating parameters like runner speed, gap between top foil and runner, will affect the load carrying capacity of the thrust bearing. The study involves both static analysis and dynamic analysis to comprehensively evaluate how changes in top foil stiffness affect the bearing's operational characteristics. The geometric parameters like foil geometry, sector angle of top foil, initial angle of top foil and thickness of top foil are considered for the study. The results of these analyses will be used to validate how the varying geometrical parameters impact the stiffness of the Air foil thrust bearing. This will provide practical insights into the real-world performance of air foil thrust bearings with varying top foil stiffness. The findings of this research will have significant implications for the design and optimization of air foil thrust bearings in various industrial applications. By understanding how changes in top foil stiffness affect the bearing's performance, engineers and researchers can enhance the efficiency and reliability of rotating machinery, ultimately contributing to improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.