Turbulent Flow, Flexure-Pivot Hybrid Bearings for Cryogenic Applications

1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andres
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Liquid Oxygen ◽  
Hydrodynamic Bearings ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Direct Stiffness ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

The thermal analysis of flexure-pivot tilting-pad hybrid (combination hydrostatic-hydrodynamic) bearings for cryogenic turbopumps is presented. The advantages of this type of bearing for high speed operation are discussed. Turbulent bulk-flow, variable properties, momentum and energy transport equations of motion govern the flow in the bearing pads. Zeroth-order equations for the flow field at a journal equilibrium position render the bearing flow rate, load capacity, drag torque, and temperature rise. First-order equations for perturbed flow fields due to small amplitude journal motions provide rotordynamic force coefficients. A method to determine the tilting-pad moment coefficients from the force displacement coefficients is outlined. Numerical predictions correlate well with experimental measurements for tilting-pad hydrodynamic bearings. The design of a liquid oxygen, flexure-pad hybrid bearing shows a reduced whirl frequency ratio and without loss in load capacity or reduction in direct stiffness and damping coefficients.

scholarly journals Improvement of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing Operating Characteristics by Application of Eddy Grooves

Lubricants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Eckhard Schüler ◽  
Olaf Berner
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Fluid Film ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Fluid Film Bearings ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Bearing Load ◽  
Bearing Loads ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearing

In high speed, high load fluid-film bearings, the laminar-turbulent flow transition can lead to a considerable reduction of the maximum bearing temperatures, due to a homogenization of the fluid-film temperature in radial direction. Since this phenomenon only occurs significantly in large bearings or at very high sliding speeds, means to achieve the effect at lower speeds have been investigated in the past. This paper shows an experimental investigation of this effect and how it can be used for smaller bearings by optimized eddy grooves, machined into the bearing surface. The investigations were carried out on a Miba journal bearing test rig with Ø120 mm shaft diameter at speeds between 50 m/s–110 m/s and at specific bearing loads up to 4.0 MPa. To investigate the potential of this technology, additional temperature probes were installed at the crucial position directly in the sliding surface of an up-to-date tilting pad journal bearing. The results show that the achieved surface temperature reduction with the optimized eddy grooves is significant and represents a considerable enhancement of bearing load capacity. This increase in performance opens new options for the design of bearings and related turbomachinery applications.

Rotordynamic Performance of a Rotor Supported on Bump Type Foil Gas Bearings: Experiments and Predictions

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 850-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Dario Rubio ◽  
Tae Ho Kim
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Critical Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Test System ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Rotor Imbalance ◽  
Synchronous Motion ◽  
Damping Characteristics ◽  
Rotor Surface ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

Gas foil bearings (GFBs) satisfy the requirements for oil-free turbomachinery, i.e., simple construction and ensuring low drag friction and reliable high speed operation. However, GFBs have a limited load capacity and minimal damping, as well as frequency and amplitude dependent stiffness and damping characteristics. This paper provides experimental results of the rotordynamic performance of a small rotor supported on two bump-type GFBs of length and diameter equal to 38.10mm. Coast down rotor responses from 25krpm to rest are recorded for various imbalance conditions and increasing air feed pressures. The peak amplitudes of rotor synchronous motion at the system critical speed are not proportional to the imbalance introduced. Furthermore, for the largest imbalance, the test system shows subsynchronous motions from 20.5krpm to 15krpm with a whirl frequency at ∼50% of shaft speed. Rotor imbalance exacerbates the severity of subsynchronous motions, thus denoting a forced nonlinearity in the GFBs. The rotor dynamic analysis with calculated GFB force coefficients predicts a critical speed at 8.5krpm, as in the experiments; and importantly enough, unstable operation in the same speed range as the test results for the largest imbalance. Predicted imbalance responses do not agree with the rotor measurements while crossing the critical speed, except for the lowest imbalance case. Gas pressurization through the bearings’ side ameliorates rotor subsynchronous motions and reduces the peak amplitudes at the critical speed. Posttest inspection reveal wear spots on the top foils and rotor surface.

Modal Frequency Response of a Four-Pad Tilting Pad Bearing With Spherical Pivots, Finite Pivot Stiffness and Different Pad Preloads

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy W. Dimond ◽  
Amir A. Younan ◽  
Paul E. Allaire ◽  
John C. Nicholas
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Response ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Natural Frequencies ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Damping Coefficients ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) provide radial support for rotors in high-speed machinery. Since the tilting pads cannot support a moment about the pivot, self-excited cross-coupled forces due to fluid-structure interactions are greatly reduced or eliminated. However, the rotation of the tilting pads about the pivots introduces additional degrees of freedom into the system. When the flexibility of the pivot results in pivot stiffness that is comparable to the equivalent stiffness of the oil film, then pad translations as well as pad rotations have to be considered in the overall bearing frequency response. There is significant disagreement in the literature over the nature of the frequency response of TPJBs due to non-synchronous rotor perturbations. In this paper, a bearing model that explicitly considers pad translations and pad rotations is presented. This model is transformed to modal coordinates using state-space analysis to determine the natural frequencies and damping ratios for a four-pad tilting pad bearing. Experimental static and dynamic results were previously reported in the literature for the subject bearing. The bearing characteristics as tested are considered using a thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) model. The subject bearing was reported as having an elliptical bearing bore and varying pad clearances for loaded and unloaded pads during the test. The TEHD analysis assumes a circular bearing bore, so the average bearing clearance was considered. Because of the ellipticity of the bearing bore, each pad has its own effective preload, which was considered in the analysis. The unloaded top pads have a leading edge taper. The loaded bottom pads have finned backs and secondary cooling oil flow. The bearing pad cooling features are considered by modeling equivalent convective coefficients for each pad back. The calculated bearing full stiffness and damping coefficients are also reduced non-synchronously to the eight stiffness and damping coefficients typically used in rotordynamic analyses and are expressed as bearing complex impedances referenced to shaft motion. Results of the modal analysis are compared to a two degree-of-freedom second-order model obtained via a frequency-domain system identification procedure. Theoretical calculations are compared to previously published experimental results for a four-pad tilting pad bearing. Comparisons to the previously published static and dynamic bearing characteristics are considered for model validation. Differences in natural frequencies and damping ratios resulting from the various models are compared, and the implications for rotordynamic analyses are considered.

Angled Injection—Hydrostatic Bearings Analysis and Comparison to Test Results

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andres ◽  
Dara Childs
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Liquid Oxygen ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Force Coefficients ◽  
Rotordynamic Coefficients ◽  
Rotating Systems ◽  
Static Performance ◽  
Stiffness And Damping ◽  
Frequency Ratios

Hydrostatic/hydrodynamic (hybrid) journal bearings handling process liquids have limited dynamic stability characteristics and their application as support elements to high speed flexible rotating systems is severely restricted. Measurements on water hybrid bearings with angled orifice injection have demonstrated improved rotordynamic performance with virtual elimination of cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and null or negative whirl frequency ratios. A bulk-flow model for prediction of the static performance and force coefficients of hybrid bearings with angled orifice injection is advanced. The analysis reveals that the fluid momentum exchange at the orifice discharge produces a pressure rise in the hydrostatic recess which retards the shear flow induced by journal rotation, and thus, reduces cross-coupling forces. The predictions from the model are compared with experimental measurements for a 45 deg angled orifice injection, 5 recess, water hydrostatic bearing operating at 10.2, 17.4, and 24.6 krpm and with supply pressures of 4, 5.5 and 7 MPa. The correlations include recess pressures, flow rates, and rotordynamic force coefficients at the journal centered position. An application example for a liquid oxygen hybrid bearing also demonstrates the advantages of tangential orifice injection on the rotordynamic coefficients and stability indicator for forward whirl motions, and without performance degradation on direct stiffness and damping coefficients.

Rotordynamic Behavior of 225 kW (300 HP) Class PMS Motor–Generator System Supported by Gas Foil Bearings

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bok Seong Choe ◽  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Chang Ho Kim ◽  
Yong Bok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Axial Length ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Stability Margin ◽  
Generator System ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

This paper presents the dynamic behavior of a 225 kW class (300 HP), 60,000 rpm, permanent magnet synchronous (PMS) motor–generator system supported on gas foil bearings (GFBs). The rotor of a 225 kW PMS motor is supported by two identical gas foil journal bearings (GFJBs) and one pair of gas foil thrust bearings (GFTBs). The total weight and axial length of the coupled rotors are 272 N and 1042 mm, respectively. During the speed-up test to 60,000 rpm, unexpected large subsynchronous rotor motions appear at around 120–130 Hz above 35,040 rpm. After disassembling the motor, an inspection of the top foils of the GFJBs reveals significant rotor rubbing. Thus, the GFJBs are redesigned to have a smaller load capacity by reducing their axial length to 45 mm. In addition, three 50 μm thick shims are installed in the GFJBs at 120 deg intervals for reducing the swirl speed of air and producing bearing preloads. The modification delays the onset speed of subsynchronous motions to 43,200 rpm and decreases the amplitude of the subsynchronous motions from 20 to 15 μm. These results indicate that the modification improves the stability margin of the high-speed rotor system with increasing stiffness and damping. In addition, the logarithmic decrement trends are in good agreement with the test results.

Dynamic Properties of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings: Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Frequency Effects due to Pivot Flexibility

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 865-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waldemar Dmochowski
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Damping Properties ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Stiffness And Damping ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

Tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJBs) dominate as rotor supports in high-speed rotating machinery. The paper analyzes frequency effects on the TPJB’s stiffness and damping characteristics based on experimental and theoretical investigations. The experimental investigation has been carried out on a five pad tilting-pad journal bearing of 98mm in diameter. Time domain and multifrequency excitation has been used to evaluate the dynamic coefficients. The calculated results have been obtained from a three-dimensional computer model of TPJB, which accounts for thermal effects, turbulent oil flow, and elastic effects, including that of pad flexibility. The analyzes of the TPJB’s stiffness and damping properties showed that the frequency effects on the bearing dynamic properties depend on the operating conditions and bearing design. It has been concluded that the pad inertia and pivot flexibility are behind the variations of the stiffness and damping properties with frequency of excitation.

Experimental Versus Theoretical Characteristics of a High-Speed Hybrid (Combination Hydrostatic and Hydrodynamic) Bearing

1993 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 160-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Alan Kurtin ◽  
D. Childs ◽  
Luis San Andres ◽  
K. Hale
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Hydrodynamic Bearing ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Discharge Coefficients ◽  
Hybrid Combination ◽  
Numerical Predictions

The high-speed test facility designed and installed at Texas A&M to study water lubricated journal bearings has been successfully used to test statically an orifice compensated five-recess-hybrid (combination hydrostatic and hydrodynamic) bearing for two radial clearance configurations. Measurements of relative-bearing position, torque, recess pressure, flow rate, and temperature were made at speeds from 10,000 to 25,000 rpm and supply pressures of 6.89 MPa (1,000 psi), 5.52 MPa (800 psi), and 4.14 MPa (600 psi). For speeds of 10,000 and 17,500 rpm, the bearing load capacity was also investigated. A pitching instability of the bearing limited the number of test cases. A 2-dimensional, bulk-flow, Navier-Stokes numerical analysis program was used for all theoretical performance predictions. Orifice discharge coefficients used in the program were calculated from measured flow and pressure data. Reynolds numbers for flow within the bearing lands due to shaft rotation and recess pressurization ranged from 6700 to 16,500. Predictions sensitivity to ±10 percent changes in the input parameters was investigated. Results showed that performance prediction sensitivities are high for changes in discharge coefficients and negligible for changes in relative roughness. The numerical predictions of relative bearing position, recess pressure, flowrate, and torque are very accurate, provided the selected orifice discharge coefficients are correct.

Vibration Analysis of Statically Indeterminate Rotors With Hydrodynamic Bearings

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (4) ◽  
pp. 781-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Feng ◽  
E. J. Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Vibration Analysis ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Hydrodynamic Bearings ◽  
Hydrodynamic Bearing ◽  
Unbalance Response ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Rotor Bearings ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

In statically indeterminate rotor bearings systems, where the rotor is supported by one or more hydrodynamic bearings, the reactions at each hydrodynamic bearing, and hence its stiffness and damping properties depend not only on the bearing type, the operating conditions and the bearing dimensions but also on the relative lateral alignment between the journal and the bearing housing; the alignment, therefore, has a significant influence on the system stability and unbalance response. Additional complications arise if nonsymmetric bearing types such as elliptic or tilting pad bearings are present. An iterative procedure is outlined which enables the bearing reactions to be determined at any speed, thereby enabling even large systems such as turbomachinery to be rapidly analyzed in conjunction with existing linear rotor bearing vibration analysis software. Sample numerical examples show how misalignment and bearing type can affect the natural frequencies, the stability threshold, and the unbalance response of such statically indeterminate systems.

Dynamic Analysis of a High-Speed Rotor-Ball Bearing System Under Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Yan Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Li Wang ◽  
Xiao-Qing Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Liang Yan
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Ball Bearing ◽  
Chaotic Behavior ◽  
Equations Of Motion ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Lubricated Contacts ◽  
Rolling Elements ◽  
Stiffness And Damping ◽  
Bearing System

The nonlinear dynamic behaviors of a high-speed rotor-ball bearing system under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) are investigated. First, the numerical curve fittings for stiffness and damping coefficients of lubricated contacts between rolling elements and races are undertaken, and then the fitted formulae are introduced to the equations of motion of the rotor-ball bearing system to investigate its nonlinear characteristics. Furthermore, the time responses, power spectra, phase trajectories, orbit plots, and bifurcation diagrams for cases of ignoring and considering the lubrication condition in bearings are inspected and compared. The results indicate that, when lubrication is taken into account, the amplitudes of vibration displacements and velocities of the rotor system increase, and the appearance of different regions of periodic, quasi-periodic, and chaotic behavior is strongly dependent on the speed and load.

Evaluation of Pivot Stiffness for Typical Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing Designs

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Kirk ◽  
S. W. Reedy
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Fluid Film ◽  
Hertzian Contact ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Hertzian Contact Stress ◽  
Bearing Stiffness ◽  
Stress And Deformation ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stiffness And Damping ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearing

The manufacturers of high speed turbomachinery are concerned with the accurate prediction of rotor response and stability. One major factor in the placement of system critical speeds and amplification factors is the stiffness and damping of both the fluid-film bearing and support structure. Typical calculated results for tilting-pad fluid-film bearings have neglected the influence of the point or line contact of the pivot support for the individual pads. This paper will review the equations developed considering the Hertzian contact stress and deformation theory and present the equations for pivot stiffness necessary for inclusion in tilting pad bearing computer programs. In addition, the influence of various standard pivot designs will be compared for typical fluid-film bearing stiffness and damping characteristics.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document