Study of dependence of lubrication layer thickness in a plain thrust bearing of a sealed pump with a magnetic clutch on area of the working wheel equalizing holes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, using sealed pumps for transferring various liquids is widespread. Increasing the service life and operation reliability of sealed pumps with a magnetic clutch is a relevant technical task.
 AIM: Search for relatively simple ways of increasing the service life and operation reliability of sealed pumps with a magnetic clutch, in particular, study of influence of area of the working wheel equalizing holes on lubrication layer thickness in a thrust bearing.
 METHODS: In the mathematical model, the diagram of forces acting at a rotor of a centrifugal pump with hydrostatic bearings operating with the transferred liquid was analyzed and the equilibrium equation was obtained. The influence of such centrifugal pump geometric parameters as area of the working wheel equalizing holes on lubrication layer thickness in a thrust hydrostatic bearing was taken into account in the calculation.
 RESULTS: In the paper’s conclusion, there is dependency graph of lubrication layer thickness in a thrust bearing on area of the working wheel equalizing holes. As it is shown in the graph, the axial force is quite sensible to area of an equalizing hole of a centrifugal pump working wheel.
 CONCLUSION: The practical value of the study lies in the formulated influence of area of the working wheel equalizing holes on lubrication layer thickness in a thrust bearing of a centrifugal pump, given in the paper’s conclusion.