scholarly journals Comparative Experimental Analysis of Load Carrying Capability of Air Foil Thrust Bearing for Different Configuration of Foil Assembly

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 1096-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.N. Ravikumar ◽  
K.J. Rathanraj ◽  
V. Arun Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

On the performance of foil thrust bearing with misaligned bearing runner

2017 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelrasoul M. Gad
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Approximation Technique ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effect ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

Purpose Compliant foil thrust bearings are promising bearings for high-speed oil-free turbomachinery. However, most previous experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the performance of these bearings have ignored the effect of bearing runner misalignment. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effects of static and dynamic angular misalignments of the bearing runner on the performance of a gas-lubricated foil thrust bearing. Design/methodology/approach The bearing runner is allowed a maximum angular misalignment that produces a minimum gas film thickness as low as 20 per cent of the nominal clearance. Then, the variations of bearing load carrying capacity, viscous power loss and stiffness and damping coefficients of the gas film with runner misalignment are thoroughly analyzed. The flow in the gas film is modeled with compressible Reynolds equation along with the Couette approximation technique, and the deformation of the compliant bearing is calculated with a robust analytical model. Small perturbations method is used to calculate the force and moment dynamic coefficients of the gas film. Findings The results show that misaligned foil thrust bearings are capable of developing a restoring moment sufficient enough to withstand the imposed misalignments. Furthermore, the enhanced hydrodynamic effect ensures a stable operation of the misaligned bearing, and the results highlighted the role of the compliant bearing structure to maintain foil bearing prominent features even at misaligned conditions. Originality/value The value of this study is the evaluation of the effects of runner angular misalignments on the static and dynamic characteristics of Generation II bump-type foil thrust bearing.

Experimental Analysis of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Foil Thrust Bearing

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihai Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Equivalent Damping ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

The paper deals with the experimental analysis of the dynamic characteristics of a foil thrust bearing (FTB) designed following the specifications given by NASA in 2009. The start-up characteristics of the same foil bearing were investigated in a recently published paper. The test rig used for start-up measurements was adapted for dynamic measurements. The paper presents the test rig in detail as well as its identified dynamic models. Measurements of the dynamic characteristics of the bump foil structure were performed for static loads comprised between 30 N and 150 N while measurements for the FTB were performed at 35 krpm for 30 N, 60 N and 90 N. Excitation frequencies were comprised between 150 Hz and 750 Hz. Results showed that the dynamic stiffness of the FTB increase with excitation frequency while the equivalent damping decreases. Both stiffness and damping increase with the static load but are smaller at 35 krpm compared to 0 rpm.

Experimental Analysis of the Dynamic Characteristics of a Foil Thrust Bearing

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihai Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Equivalent Damping ◽  
Start Up ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

This paper deals with the experimental analysis of the dynamic characteristics of a foil thrust bearing (FTB) designed according to specifications given by NASA scientists in 2009 (Dykas et al., 2009, “Design, Fabrication, and Performance of Foil Gas Thrust Bearings for Microturbomachinery Applications,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 131(1), p. 012301). The present work details the new configuration of the same test rig that was used to test start-up characteristics of the aforementioned bearing (Balducchi et al., 2013, “Experimental Analysis of the Start-Up Torque of a Mildly Loaded Foil Thrust Bearing,” ASME J. Tribol., 135(3), p. 031703). The rig has been reconfigured to test dynamic characteristics. The dynamic characteristics of the bump foil structure were measured for static loads comprised between 30 N and 150 N while measurements for the FTB were performed at 35 krpm for 30 N, 60 N, and 90 N. Excitation frequencies were comprised between 150 Hz and 750 Hz. Results showed that the dynamic stiffness of the FTB increase with excitation frequency while the equivalent damping decreases. Both stiffness and damping increase with the static load but are smaller at 35 krpm compared to 0 rpm.

Experimental Studies on Air Foil Thrust Bearing Load Capabilities Considering the Effect of Foil Configuration

2015 ◽  
Vol 813-814 ◽  
pp. 1007-1011
Author(s):  
R.N. Ravikumar ◽  
K.J. Rathanraj ◽  
V. Arun Kumar
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
Foil Thickness ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Turbo Machinery ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

Abstract. Foil bearings are self-acting hydrodynamics bearings used to support lightly loaded high speed rotating machinery. The advantages that they offer to process fluid lubricated machines usingworking fluid as a lubricant (ambient air) physically non-contacting high speed operation. Foil bearings have been considered as an alternative to conventional bearings with the capacity to cater for high-speeds and hostile environment (high temperature). However, the lack of load carrying capacity at relatively lower speeds limits their applications in heavy turbo machinery and as such are highly suitable in lightly loaded, high speed turbo machinery like small gas turbines.This paper discusses the design and assessment of dynamic characteristics in terms of load carrying capabilities as a function of speed, gap between the bearing and the runner as well as shape of foils for an air foil thrust bearing. The effects of various bearing parameters like foil thickness, number of foils fixed circumferentially and along the axis of rotation and with foil geometry configuration. Characteristics of performance defined essentially in terms of load carrying capabilities and static stiffness have been used for evaluation. Experiments were conducted both for angular foils (with inner edge height less than outer edge height) and square foils by varying number of foils. The experimental results shows that the effect of foil configuration enhances the load carrying capabilities of air foil thrust bearing.

Experimental Analysis of the Start-Up Torque of a Mildly Loaded Foil Thrust Bearing1

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franck Balducchi ◽  
Mihaï Arghir ◽  
Romain Gauthier ◽  
Emelyne Renard
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Static Loads ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

The paper deals with the experimental analysis of the torque and of the lift-off velocity of a foil thrust bearing. The geometric characteristics of the foil thrust bearing follow the design recently proposed by Dykas et al. (2009, “Design, Fabrication, and Performance of Foil Gas Thrust Bearings for Microturbomachinery Applications,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 131(1), p. 012301-1). A dedicated test rig was developed and enables the measurement of the speed, the torque, and temperatures under the foils. The measurements underlined the importance of managing heat transfer in a foil thrust bearing. Results are presented for mild static loads ranging from 5 to 60 N and rotation speeds comprised between 20 and 35 krpm. The value of the start-up torque was validated by comparisons with results obtained with a rapid camera.

Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Air Foil Thrust Bearing Considering Tilting Pad Condition

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Jin Park ◽  
Yong-Bok Lee ◽  
Chang-Ho Kim ◽  
Gun-Hee Jang
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Carrying Capacity ◽  
Static And Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Thrust Pad ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

The thrust pad of the rotor is used to sustain the axial force generated due to the pressure difference between the compressor and turbine sides of turbomachinery such as the gas turbines and turbochargers. Furthermore, this thrust pad has a role to maintain and determines the attitude of the rotor. In a real system, it also helps reinforce the stiffness and damping of the journal bearing. This study was performed for the purpose of analyzing the characteristics of the air foil thrust bearing. The model for the air foil thrust bearing used in this study is composed of two parts: one is an inclined plane, which plays a role to increase the load carrying capacity using the physical wedge effect, and the other is a flat plane. This study mainly consists of three parts. First, the static characteristics were obtained over the region of the thin air film using the finite difference method (FDM) and the bump foil characteristics using the finite element method (FEM). Second, the analysis of the dynamic characteristics was conducted by perturbation method. For more exact calculation, the rarefaction gas coefficients perturbed about the pressure and film thickness were taken into consideration. At last, the static and dynamic characteristics of the tilting condition of the thrust pad were obtained. Furthermore, the load carrying capacity and torque were calculated for both tilting and not-tilting conditions. From this study, several results were presented: 1) the stiffness and damping of the bump foil under the condition of the various bump parameters, 2) the load carrying capacity and bearing torque at the tilting state, 3) the bearing performance under various bearing parameters, 4) the effects considering the rarefaction gas coefficients.

Novel Thrust Foil Bearing With Pocket Grooves for Enhanced Static Performance

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen LaTray ◽  
Daejong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Power Loss ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

Abstract The integration of foil bearing technology into high-speed oil-free machines has been slow in progress, in part, due to the low load-carrying capacity of the foil thrust bearing. It is crucial this issue is addressed through innovative solutions without overcomplicating the bearing design because simplicity is one of the attractive features of the foil bearing. This work presents novel thrust foil bearing with taper-flat configuration and pocket grooves on the bearing top foil as a secondary pressure boosting mechanism. Parametric study of the pocket dimensions on a rigid bearing reveals that the bearing static performance is the most sensitive to the pocket angular span. Further two-dimensional fluid–structure interaction analyses on foil thrust bearing predict a reduction of power loss by 10% with increased average film thickness. Minimum film thickness also increases when the bearing is lightly loaded but it is reduced 20% at the taper-flat transition area under high loading condition. This issue can be overcome by using stiffer bump foil; however, this is not implemented in this work due to other design constraints. Test results at 90,000 rpm and 140,000 rpm show, by adding the pocket groove pattern on the top foil, the power loss is reduced by 16% compared to the traditional taper-flat configuration.

An Experimental Analysis of Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
B. B. Roy ◽  
S. Pal ◽  
M. Bhattacharyya
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Analysis ◽  
Thrust Bearing

On the Significance of the Inlet Pressure Build-Up in the Design of Tilting-Pad Bearings

1990 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cz. M. Rodkiewicz ◽  
K. W. Kim ◽  
J. S. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Inlet Pressure ◽  
Load Carrying Capacity ◽  
Integral Theorem ◽  
Lubricating Film ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Load Carrying ◽  
Momentum Integral ◽  
Entrance Pressure

An operating tilting-pad thrust bearing generates a fore-region which is responsible for maintaining, at the bearing entrance, a pressure which is higher than the ambient pressure. This entrance pressure, in the presented analysis, is obtained by applying to the fore-region the momentum integral theorem. The solution of the lubricating film region is then obtained by using this modified inlet pressure. This solution yields the pressure distribution, the load carrying capacity, the film ratio and the frictional force for several values of the modified Reynolds number and various pivot positions. The analysis shows that there is a significant influence of the fore-region pressure on the bearing performance and that to properly design efficient tilting-pad bearing this effect should be taken into consideration.

Numerical and experimental studies on the thermal and static characteristics of multi-leaf foil thrust bearing

2021 ◽  
pp. 135065012110110
Author(s):  
Yu Guo ◽  
Yu Hou ◽  
Qi Zhao ◽  
Xionghao Ren ◽  
Shuangtao Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Failure Process ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Elastic Model ◽  
Static Characteristics ◽  
Bearing Load ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Cooling Air

Foil bearing is considered to be a promising supporting technology in high-speed centrifugal machinery. Due to the high-speed shearing effect in the viscous lubricant film, heat generation could not be ignored. In this paper, a thermo-elastic model of the multi-leaf foil thrust bearing is proposed to predict its thermal and static characteristics. In the model, modified Reynolds equation, energy equation, and Kirchhoff equation are solved in a coupling way. The contact area between the foil and welding plate is taken into account. Besides, the effect of cooling air on the bearing temperature is investigated. The ultimate load capacity and transient overload failure process of the bearing is analyzed and discussed. The effect of rotation speed on the bearing temperature is more obvious than that of the bearing load. The bearing temperature drops obviously by introducing the cooling air, and the cooling effect is improved with the supply pressure. The transient overload failure of the bearing occurs when the bearing load exceeds the ultimate value.

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