Using µPIV to Investigate Fluid Flow in a Pocketed Thrust Bearing

Abstract

This article presents the results of an experimental and analytical investigation of the fluid flow in a pocketed thrust bearing. An experimental test rig was designed, developed, and used to visualize fluid flow in pocketed thrust bearings. Microparticle image velocimetry (μPIV) was used to measure fluid flow inside the pocket of a thrust bearing. The thrust bearings were constructed by gluing precision shim stocks to a flat BK7 glass disk in contact with a polished steel disk. The precision shim stock provides the desired pocket depth for the bearing. A polished steel disk in contact with the thrust bearing was driven by a motor in order to induce fluid flow within the pockets. μPIV was then employed to measure the shear-driven cavity flow and generate the quiver plots of the flow field. Three different lubricants were used at various speeds and a constant load to measure the effects of speed and viscosity on the flow out of the pocketed thrust bearing. In order to achieve the analytical aspect of this research, a model was developed to predict the film thickness, cavitation area, and pressure distribution generated within the bearing. The cavitation areas obtained from the model were compared with the experimental results. The results corroborate well. The calculated pressure and film thickness were then used to determine the 3D velocity profiles within the pocketed thrust bearing. The measured velocities obtained from the experimental images were compared to the analytical velocity fields. Comparing the measured velocities with the analytical model, the depth of the microparticles in the bearing pocket was determined. Using this approach, the μPIV-measured 2D velocity field was converted into a 3D velocity field, which illustrates the fluid motion inside a pocketed thrust bearing at various speeds and viscosities.