Abstract
This paper describes a theoretical investigation of static and dynamic characteristics of herringbone-grooved air thrust bearings. Firstly, Finite Difference Method (FDM) and Finite Volume Method (FVM) are used in combination to solve the non-linear Reynolds equation and to find the pressure distribution of the film and the total loading capacity of the bearing. The influence of design parameters on air film gap characteristics, including the air film thickness, depth of the groove and rotating speed, are analyzed based on the FDM model. The simulation results show that hydrostatic thrust bearings can achieve a better load capacity with less air consumption than herringbone grooved thrust bearings at low compressibility number; herringbone grooved thrust bearings can achieve a higher load capacity but with more air consumption than hydrostatic thrust bearing at high compressibility number; herringbone grooved thrust bearings would lose stability at high rotating speeds, and the stability increases with the depth of the grooves.
Highlights
Herringbone grooved thrust air bearings have been widely employed in high speed and light weight rotational machinery, such as small precision motors, gas expanders, spindles because of its excellent load capacity and stability compared with other types of bearings
The simulation results show that hydrostatic thrust bearings can achieve a better load capacity with less air consumption than herringbone grooved thrust bearings at low compressibility number; herringbone grooved thrust bearings can achieve a higher load capacity but with more air consumption than hydrostatic thrust bearing at high compressibility number; herringbone grooved thrust bearings would lose stability at high rotating speeds, and the stability increases with the depth of the grooves
A numerical model for herringbone grooved thrust bearings is proposed based on the Finite Difference Method (FDM) and Finite Volume Method (FVM); and the motion equations are added into the model to get the dynamic response of herringbone grooved thrust bearings; the effects of several designs and working parameters on air film characteristics of herringbone grooved thrust bearings, including the air film thickness, rotating speed and groove depth, are investigated and compared with hydrostatic thrust air bearings
Summary
Herringbone grooved thrust air bearings have been widely employed in high speed and light weight rotational machinery, such as small precision motors, gas expanders, spindles because of its excellent load capacity and stability compared with other types of bearings. The work includes comparisons of different methods with respect to computational time and stability A numerical model for herringbone grooved thrust bearings is proposed based on the FDM and FVM; and the motion equations are added into the model to get the dynamic response of herringbone grooved thrust bearings; the effects of several designs and working parameters on air film characteristics of herringbone grooved thrust bearings, including the air film thickness, rotating speed and groove depth, are investigated and compared with hydrostatic thrust air bearings
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