Ultrasonic monitoring of lubricating conditions of hydrodynamic bearing

Abstract

The performance of a hydrodynamic bearing is illustrated by the lubricating conditions which transfer from ones to another when working condition is changed. The thickness of lubricant film is the key parameter of lubricating conditions. The lubricating conditions of hydrodynamic bearing can be monitored by the measured film thickness and the relationship between them. For thin lubricant film layers less than ultrasonic wavelength, the spring model method is applied to measure the film thickness. The proportion of the ultrasound reflected from film layer, depended on the film stiffness, is determined and then can be readily converted to the film thickness. For the thicker films ranging from several microns to tens microns, ultrasonic resonance method was employed. An adaptive measurement algorithm is presented to automatically choice appropriate ultrasonic measurement method according to the different lubricating stage. All the range of lubricant film thickness of a hydrodynamic bearing can then be measured by the automatic selection of spring model and resonance methods. Simulation device of lubricant film layers with PZT positioning stage is designed to verify the accuracy of the adaptive measurement algorithm. Hydrodynamic bearing experimental setup is used to generate varies of lubricating condition by changing the shaft speed, radial direction loading force, and lubricant temperature. The lubricating condition of hydrodynamic bearing is then evaluated according to the measured lubricant film thickness and the working conditions.