Influence of wedge shape on the performance of air foil thrust bearings

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyang Hu ◽  
Ming Feng
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Convex Shape ◽  
Concentrated Load ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wedge Shape ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Pitch Ratio

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of different wedge shapes on the performance of air foil thrust bearing (AFTB). Design/methodology/approach During the study, a bump foil stiffness model considering slip deformation and a two-dimensional sheet top foil model is established, and the Reynolds equation and film thickness equation is solved using the finite difference method and finite element method. The static performance such as load carrying capacity, friction torque and power loss of AFTB under different taper parameters is obtained. The influence of different pitch ratio, film thickness ratio and wedge shapes on the bearing characteristics is studied. Findings There is an optimal height and a pitch ratio for the taper of AFTB with certain tile number. Compared to the plane and concave wedge shape, the upper convex shape can enhance the convergence effect of the wedge region, increase the effective film pressure distribution area of the bearing and reduce the local concentrated load of the top foil, which is more conductive to the increase of load capacity. Originality/value The wedge shape parameters bring a fundamental difference in the static performance of AFTB. The results are expected to be helpful to bearing designers, researchers and academicians concerned.

On the characteristics of gas foil conical bearings considering misalignment

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyang Hu ◽  
Ming Feng ◽  
Tianming Ren
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Misalignment Angle ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stiffness Model ◽  
Dynamic Performances

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the characteristics of gas foil conical bearings (GFCBs) considering the misalignment, the static and dynamic performances with different misalignment cases were studied. Design/methodology/approach A test rig on the air compressor supported by GFCBs has been developed to measure the practicability. A nonlinear bump stiffness model and one-dimensional beam top foil stiffness model were used as a basis for the calculation of static and dynamic performance. The finite element method and finite difference method are adopted to solve the Reynolds equation and the film thickness equation coupled, in which different misalignment cases were considered by changing the film thickness. Findings The supporting performance of GFCB is excellent, and the film clearance plays a critical role. The misalignment effects depend on the assembled angle and the misalignment angle. The load capacity, friction torque, temperature of GFCB decrease when the misalignment assembled angle is between 120° and 240°, while the dynamic bearing stability is improved. The static and dynamic performances show the opposite law for the other assembled angles, and the misalignment effect is more dramatic when there is a larger misalignment angle. Moreover, the bearing and running parameters largely affect the bearing performance. Originality/value The present study focuses on the static and dynamic characteristics of GFCB and investigates the effects of misalignment on the bearing performance. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0117

Effect of roundness error on the performance of novel gas foil conical bearings

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 895-904
Author(s):  
Hongyang Hu ◽  
Ming Feng ◽  
Tianming Ren
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Roundness Error ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stiffness Model ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the effect law of roundness error on the properties of gas foil conical bearing (GFCB), and the performance of bearings with different non-circular sleeve shapes are calculated. Design/methodology/approach For the bump-type GFCB, the nonlinear bump foil stiffness model and 1-D beam top foil stiffness model are built. On this basis, the finite element method and finite difference method are used to solve the Reynolds equation and the film thickness equation coupled, and the static and dynamic properties of GFCB are calculated. The effect law of sleeve roundness error on the static performance under different conditions is obtained. Moreover, the dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics under different errors are also studied. Findings The roundness error will decrease the load capacity and friction torque of GFCB, and increase the attitude angle. The error effect is more dramatic when there is larger eccentric, small nominal clearance, larger error value and more error lobes, and the static performance exhibits a periodic change in the circumferential direction. The roundness error can also decrease the direct stiffness and cross-coupled damping of GFCB, while the cross-coupled stiffness increases largely, which will reduce the bearing stability. Originality/value The roundness error adversely affects the static and dynamic characteristics of GFCB, which should be concerned by bearing designers, researchers and academicians. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0019/

Theoretical Study on Static Performance of Double-Bump Foil Bearings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fangcheng Xu ◽  
Jianhua Chu ◽  
Wenlin Luan ◽  
Guang Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Static Characteristics ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearing ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Initial Clearance

Abstract In this paper, single-bump foil models with different thickness and double-bump foil models with different initial clearances are established. The structural stiffness and equivalent viscous damping of double-bump foil and single-bump foil are analyzed by finite element simulation. The results show that the double-layer bump foil has variable stiffness and the displacement of the upper bump is greater than the initial gap when the two-layer bumps contact. A model for obtaining static characteristics of aerodynamic compliant foil thrust bearing is established on the basis of the stiffness characteristics of the double-bump foil. This paper solves gas Reynolds equation, the gas film thickness equation and the foil stiffness characteristic equation via the finite element method and the finite difference method. The static characteristics of the thrust bearings including the bearing pressure distribution, the gas film thickness and the friction power consumption have been obtained. The static characteristics of two kinds of foils have been compared and analyzed, and the effect of initial clearance on the static performance of double-bump foil bearings is studied. The results show that the double-bump foil structure can effectively improve the load capacity of thrust bearing. In addition, the static performance of double-bump foil thrust bearings is between the performance of the single-bump foil bearing and the double-bump foil bearing whose foil’s clearance is zero. The smaller the initial clearance is, the easier it will be to form a stable double-bump foil supporting structure.

Effect of torque ratio on speed regulating start

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1657-1663
Author(s):  
Qingrui Meng ◽  
Zhao Chenghao ◽  
Tian Zuzhi
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Load Torque ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Torque Transmission ◽  
Drive Speed ◽  
Starting Process

Purpose Friction pairs of the hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start device should be designed based on the rated torque. To obtain design basis of the rated torque of the hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start device, studies on effect of torque ratio (a ratio of the load torque to the rated torque) on speed regulating start were carried out theoretically and experimentally. Design/methodology/approach Under different torque ratio, the modified Reynolds, the thermal energy and the viscosity-temperature equations were solved simultaneously by using finite element method to reveal variation laws of the oil film load capacity and torque transmission during the starting process. Then, speed regulating start experiments were carried out to study the following performance of the output speed. Findings The results show that oil film thickness decreases with the increase of the torque ratio; when oil film thickness is less than 0.05 mm, oil film temperature increases rapidly with the decrease of oil film thickness, which eventually deteriorates performance of the speed regulating start; when the torque ratio decreases to about 0.3, output speed shows a better following performance. Originality/value It indicates that, to acquire a better speed regulating start, the rated torque of the hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start device should not be less than three times of the load torque. Achievements of this work provide theoretical basis for optimal design of the friction pairs of the hydro-viscous drive speed regulating start device.

Effect of misalignment and rarefaction effect on the comprehensive characteristic of MEMS gas bearing

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangliang Li ◽  
Yonghui Xie
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Rarefied Gas ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rarefaction Effect ◽  
Comprehensive Performance ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Gas Bearing

Purpose Owing to the development of the smaller-sized rotational machinery, the demand for the high-speed and low-resistance gas bearing increases rapidly. The research of micro gas bearing in the condition of rarefied gas state is still not satisfied. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present a numerical investigation of the effect of misalignment and rarefaction effect on the comprehensive performance of micro-electrical-mechanical system (MEMS) gas bearing. Design/methodology/approach The Fukui and Kaneko model is expanded to 2D solution domain to describe the flow field parameters. The finite element method is used to discretize the equation. Newton–Raphson method is used to solve the nonlinear equations for the static performance of gas bearing, and partial deviation method is adopted for the solution of dynamic equations. Findings The static and dynamic characteristics of MEMS gas bearing are calculated, and the comparison is made to study the influence of rarefaction effect and misalignment. The results show that the rarefaction effect will decrease bearing load capacity compared with traditional solution of Reynolds equation, and the misalignment will reduce the stability of bearing. The influence of misalignment on gas film thickness is also analyzed in this paper. Originality/value The investigation of this paper emerges the change regularity of comprehensive performance of MEMS gas bearing considering rarefaction effect and misalignment, which provides a reference for the actual manufacturing of MEMS gas bearing and for the safety operation of micro dynamic machinery. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-01-2020-0023/

Effect of roughness on sealing performance of oil seals with surface texture

2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-532
Author(s):  
Fuying Zhang ◽  
Junmei Yang ◽  
Haoche Shui ◽  
Chengcheng Dong
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Surface Texture ◽  
Equilateral Triangle ◽  
Friction Torque ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Correct Selection ◽  
Deformation Analysis ◽  
Rotating Shaft ◽  
Pumping Rate ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to obtain the film thickness, friction torque and pumping rate and analyze the effects of roughness and surface micro-dimple texture (circular, square and equilateral triangle) on the performance of the oil seal. Design/methodology/approach On the basis of elastohydrodynamic lubrication and the pumping mechanism of rotating shaft seal, this paper establishes a numerical model of hybrid lubrication of oil seal in sealing area. The model is coupled with fluid mechanics, rough peak contact mechanics and deformation analysis. Findings The results show that surface texture significantly improves the lubrication properties of the oil seal. The oil seal with the square texture has the largest oil film thickness, while the equilateral triangle texture has a better effect on the pumping rate. Originality/value To get closer to the real working environment of the oil seal, based on the surface roughness, this paper studies the effect of the texture shapes applied to the oil seal lip surface on the performance of the oil seal. The critical roughness and rotational speed values with zero pumping rate are obtained, which provides a theoretical basis for the correct selection of oil seals.

Numerical and experimental study on the static performance of externally pressurized thrust bearings lubricated with refrigerant gases

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengjun Rong ◽  
Huaqi Lian ◽  
Yulong Li
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Static Stiffness ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Bearing Clearance ◽  
Static Performance

Purpose Oil-free heat pumps that use the system refrigerant gases as lubricants are preferred for thermal management in future space applications. This study aims to numerically and experimentally investigate the static performance of externally pressurized thrust bearings lubricated with refrigerant gases. Design/methodology/approach The refrigerant gases R22, R410A and CO2 were chosen as the research objects, while N2 was used for comparison. Computational fluid dynamics was used to solve the full 3 D Navier–Stokes equations to determine the load capacity, static stiffness and static pressure distribution in the bearing film. The numerical results were experimentally verified. Findings The results showed that the refrigerant-gas-lubricated thrust bearings had a lower load capacity than the N2-lubricated bearings, but they presented a higher static stiffness when the bearing clearance was less than 9 µm. Compared with the N2-lubricated bearings, the optimal static stiffness of the R22- and CO2-lubricated bearings increased by more than 46% and more than 21%, respectively. The numerical and experimental results indicate that a small bearing clearance would be preferable when designing externally pressurized gas thrust bearings lubricated with the working medium of heat pump systems for space applications. Originality/value The findings of this study can serve as a basis for the further investigation of refrigerant gases as lubricants in heat pump systems, as well as for the future design of such gas bearings in heat pump systems for space applications.

The effect of rounding radius in bump foil structure on the static performance of foil journal bearings

2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 677-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyang Hu ◽  
Ming Feng
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Bending Moment ◽  
Deformation Energy ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Attitude Angle ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Fully Coupled

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the rounding in bump foil on the static performance of air foil journal bearings. Design/methodology/approach During the study, the bending moment of the new foil structure with rounding is proposed, and the bump foil stiffness is obtained from the elastic deformation energy theory. The validity of the presented foil model is verified through comparison with previous models. The static characteristics of foil bearings such as film thickness and attitude angle are obtained using a fully coupled elastic-gas algorithm and are compared to models with various rounding radius and friction coefficients. Findings There is an optimal rounding radius that makes the stiffness of bump foil maximum. As the static load increases, the minimum film thickness is proportional to the rounding radius but the attitude angle is inversely proportional. The effect of rounding with a large friction coefficient becomes negligible. Originality/value The rounding brings fundamental difference in the structural stiffness and static performance of foil bearings. The results are expected to be helpful to bearing designers, researchers and academicians concerned.

Study on the performance of gas foil thrust bearings with stacked bump foils

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-769
Author(s):  
Hongyang Hu ◽  
Ming Feng ◽  
Tianming Ren
Keyword(s):  
Peer Review ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Foil Thickness ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Static Characteristics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Deformation Equation ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Edge Based

Purpose This paper aims to improve the load capacity of gas foil thrust bearing (GFTB) and to introduce and study a novel bearing with stacked bump foils. Design/methodology/approach For the proposed novel GFTB supported by stacked foils, some bump-type gaskets with several partial arches are inserted below the regular bump foil, and the height of each arch can be made differently. These features make the bump foil thickness and height gradually increase, which can bring enhanced support stiffness and convergent film at the trailing edge. Based on a new nonlinear bump stiffness model considering bump rounding and friction force, the finite element and finite difference method were used to solve the coupling Reynolds equation, energy equation and foil deformation equation. Finally, the structural stiffness and static characteristics of the novel GFTB were gained and compared with the traditional bearing. Findings The novel GFTB has an additional convergence effect in the parallel section, which improves the static performance of bearing. The bearing capacity, friction moment, power loss and temperature rise of the novel GFTB are all higher than those of the traditional bearing, and the static characteristics are related to the parameters of stacked bump foils. Originality/value The stacked bump foils bring a fundamental enhancement on the load capacity of GFTB. The results are expected to be helpful to bearing designers, researchers and academicians concerned. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2019-0449/

A Generalized Solution on the Static Characteristics of Short Hydrodynamic Journal Bearings Using Harmonic Components

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baisong Yang ◽  
Jiale Tian ◽  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Lie Yu
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Harmonic Component ◽  
Generalized Solution ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Hydrodynamic Bearing ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Harmonic Components ◽  
The Relationship

A theoretical analysis has been done to investigate the static performance of short hydrodynamic journal bearings with a generalized film thickness expression by a sum of Fourier series equation. The hydrodynamic film thickness was written into a summation of an infinite harmonic component of trigonometric function. Reynolds equation with short bearing theory is solved for steady-state operations. In this paper, the steady-state analysis of the generalized hydrodynamic bearing has been done and compared with some typical journal bearings with respect to their harmonic components of film thickness, pressure distribution and load capacity. The relationship between the k-th order harmonic component of the film thickness H0,k and the static pressure component P0,k was established. It was found that the value of P0,k is directly determined not only by the k-th order harmonic component H0,k but also the (k−1)-th order component P0,k−1 indirectly produced by the previous harmonic component H0,k−1.This new investigation method can used to improve the performance of hydrodynamic journal bearings for shape optimization of hydrodynamic journal bearings.

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