Abstract
In this paper, static characteristics of a tilting five-pad rocker-backed journal bearing with an asymmetric geometry, i.e., different clearance for each pad, are investigated. A thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) model considering the elasticity of the pad and pivot is used for the simulation. The pivot stiffness of each pad obtained by experiment is also introduced in the model. The experimental tests were carried out on a tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB) with a nominal diameter of 100 mm and a length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of 0.7 with load-between-pad (LBP) and load-on-pad (LOP) arrangements. Several analyses, including numerical simulations and experimental measurements, are implemented in order to obtain the static behaviors of the tilting-pad bearing under variations of rotational speed, amplitude and direction of applied static load, such as clearance distribution profile, static eccentricity, temperature and pressure distribution. The results show that the effect of asymmetric geometry on the static characteristics is not negligible.
Highlights
Journal bearings are widely used to support the load in the direction normal to the rotating shaft and widely investigated in the literature, such as in the comprehensive book about hydrodynamic lubrication by Hori [1]
For a tilting pad journal bearing (TPJB), the clearance profile has a polygon shape with np sides with respect to the number of pads installed in the bearing
In order to obtain the clearance profile of TPJBs, a rotating force is applied on the non-rotating shaft through the deep groove precision ball bearings, so the rotor is slowly moved inside of the bearing housing
Summary
Journal bearings are widely used to support the load in the direction normal to the rotating shaft and widely investigated in the literature, such as in the comprehensive book about hydrodynamic lubrication by Hori [1]. The results show that the temperature increased with an increase in the rotational speed, owing to the shear rate of the oil film This effect was experimentally investigated and presented in [18]. This paper presents a thermos-hydrodynamic (THD) model in which the pivot stiffness was obtained using the Hertzian contact theory to predict the static and dynamic characteristics of journal bearings. The load can be applied in any direction thanks to configuration of the test rig, which will be presented in a later section Thanks to this method, the stiffness of each pad pivot can be obtained. Results regarding the clearance distribution profile, static eccentricity as a function of rotational speed, temperature and pressure distribution as a function of rotational speed, amplitude of static load and load direction are discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call