Abstract
A performance optimisation study of a thrust bearing with surface texturing has been addressed. Bearing response calculations have been performed with a thermohydrodynamic modelling approach. A THD-optimal bearing design has been calculated, and a sensitivity analysis has been performed. The optimal design has been evaluated utilising a thermoelastohydrodynamic model, in order to quantify the effects of thermal deformations on tribological characteristics, and a sensitivity analysis demonstrated a small difference on the parameter set of the optimal geometry. However, bearing performance is substantially affected by thermal deformations, leading to a reduction of thrust load by 13% and an increase of friction coefficient by 10%. The presented results highlight the importance of modelling thermal deformation on the design of textured thrust bearings.
Highlights
Many studies have been conducted aiming at optimising texture design and evaluating the effects of texturing on the tribological characteristics of thrust bearings [1,2,3]
After the optimisation has been concluded, a parametric analysis has been performed in a narrow range of the optimised parameters, in order to verify that the optimised geometry is the global optimum
The optimal design parameters that have been selected for the present study are those of the Pareto point with the smallest coefficient of friction, which is the one with the largest value of load carrying capacity (LCC)
Summary
The thrust bearing geometry selected for the present study, is the one presented by the experimental work of Henry et al [6]. All operating conditions have been set in accordance with the aforementioned work. The gap between the rotor and the stator constitutes the lubricant domain. In order to be able to take into account the oil mixing, the groove geometry needed to be modelled. Half of the fore and aft grooves have been incorporated in the geometry of the sector pad model. Helps for the more accurate representation of the hot-oil-carry-over phenomenon
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