Simulation and experimental analysis of supporting characteristics of multiple oil pad hydrostatic bearing disk

Abstract

To study the heavy hydrostatic bearing with multiple oil pads, a reasonably simplified model of the pad is put forward, and the mathematical model of the bearing characteristics of the multiple oil pad hydrostatic bearing is built with consideration of variable viscosity. The pressure field in the clearance oil film of the hydrostatic bearing at various velocities is simulated based on the Finite Volume Method (FVM) by using the software of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Some pressure experiments on the hydrostatic bearing were carried out and the results verified the rationality of the simplified model of the pad and the validity of the numerical simulation. It is concluded that the viscosity has a great influence on the pressure in the heavy hydrostatic bearing and cannot be neglected, especially, in cases of high rotating speed. The results of numerical calculations provide the internal flow states inside the bearing, which would help the design of the oil cavity structure of the bearing in engineering practice.