Turbulent lubrication for a hydrostatic thrust bearing with a circular recess.

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the characteristics of hydrostatic thrust bearings operating in the turbulent regime. Using the calculated results of the three-dimensional turbulent mean velocity between a rotating disk and a fixed wall, as already proposed, the pressure distribution, the load capacity and the oil flow rate of the hydrostatic thrust bearing with a circular recess are presented. Comparing the calculated results with the experimental ones, it has been found that the characteristics of the above bearing are little influenced by the transition to turbulence of the lubricant flow in the recess, but the transition in the land produces an extreme change in the bearing characteristics such as the load capacity and the lubricant flow rate.