Analysis of Starved Thrust Bearings Including Temperature Effects

1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Artiles ◽  
H. Heshmat
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Direct Iteration ◽  
Finite Thrust ◽  
Raphson Iteration

A method of analysis is described treating starvation in finite thrust bearing pads. A variable-size finite difference mesh is used to represent the two-dimensional temperature and pressure fields. A combination of Newton-Raphson iteration, direct iteration, and column matrix methods are used to solve for the start-of-film and minimum film thickness as well as the coupled two-dimensional energy and Reynolds equations. A parametric study describes the performance characteristics of the tapered land thrust bearing (flowrates, extent of fluid film, temperature rises, load capacity and torque) for different minimum film thicknesses and levels of starvation. This study considered variations in the geometrical parameters such as pad aspect ratio (L/R2=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) and extent of the pad (β=27, 42, and 57 deg) with an optimum taper ratio (β1/β=0.8). It is found that the effects of starvation are fairly small near the flooded condition but accelerate rapidly below the 50 percent starvation level. The start of the film (θ1) depends mostly on the level of starvation, and is essentially independent of the geometrical parameters, operating conditions or film thickness.

An Accurate Solution of the Gas Lubricated, Flat Sector Thrust Bearing

1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Etsion ◽  
D. P. Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Maximum Load ◽  
Accurate Solution ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Practical Design ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness

A flat sector shaped pad geometry for gas lubricated thrust bearings is analyzed considering both pitch and roll angles of the pad and the true film thickness distribution. Maximum load capacity is achieved when the pad is tilted so as to create a uniform minimum film thickness along the pad trailing edge. Performance characteristics for various geometries and operating conditions of gas thrust bearings are presented in the form of design curves. A comparison is made with the rectangular slider approximation. It is found that this approximation is unsafe for practical design, since it always overestimates load capacity.

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.

Numerical Investigation on the Mixed Lubrication Performance of Water-Lubricated Coupled Journal and Thrust Bearings

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfeng Han ◽  
Guo Xiang ◽  
Jiaxu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Hydrodynamic Pressure ◽  
Mixed Lubrication ◽  
Eccentricity Ratio ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Lubrication Performance

Abstract The mixed lubrication performance of water-lubricated coupled journal and thrust bearing (simplified as coupled bearing) is investigated by a developed numerical model. To ensure the continuity of hydrodynamic pressure and flow at the common boundary between the journal and thrust bearing, the conformal transformation is introduced to unify the solution domain of the Reynolds equation. In the presented study, the coupled effects between the journal and thrust bearing are discussed. The effects of the thrust bearing geometric film thickness on the mixed lubrication performance, including the load capacity, contact load and friction coefficient, of the journal bearing are investigated. And the effects of the journal bearing eccentricity ratio on the mixed lubrication performance of the thrust bearing are also investigated. The simulated results indicate the mutual effects between the journal and thrust bearing cannot be ignored in the coupled bearing system. The increasing thrust bearing geometric film thickness generates a decrease in load capacity of journal bearing. There exists an optimal eccentricity ratio of journal bearing that yields the minimum friction coefficient of the thrust bearing.

The Influence of Injection Pockets on the Performance of Tilting-Pad Thrust Bearings: Part II — Comparison Between Theory and Experiment

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Heinrichson ◽  
Axel Fuerst ◽  
Ilmar Ferreira Santos
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
High Pressure Injection ◽  
Theoretical Pressure

This is Part II of a two-part series of papers describing the effects of high pressure injection pockets on the operating conditions of tilting-pad thrust bearings. Measurements of the distribution of pressure and oil film thickness are presented for tilting-pad thrust bearing pads of approximately 100 cm2 surface area. Two pads are measured in a laboratory test-rig at loads of approximately 0.5, 1.5 and 4.0 MPa and velocities of up to 33 m/s. One pad has a plain surface. The other pad has a conical injection pocket at the pivot point and a leading edge taper. The measurements are compared to theoretical values obtained using a three dimensional thermoelasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) numerical model. At low and intermediate loads the theoretical pressure distribution corresponds well to the measured values for both pads although the influence of the pocket is slightly underestimated. At high loads large discrepancies exist for the pad with an injection pocket. It is argued that this is likely to be due to the unevenness of the collar surface. The measured and theoretical values of oil film thickness compare well at low loads. At high loads discrepancies grow to up to 25 %. It is argued that this is due to the accuracy of the measurements.

Static Characteristics of Gas Foil Thrust Bearing Based on Gas Rarefaction Model

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiajia Yan ◽  
Guanghui Zhang ◽  
Zhansheng Liu ◽  
Fan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
Reynolds Equation ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Rarefied Gas ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Lubricating Film ◽  
Lift Off ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

A modified Reynolds equation for bump type gas foil thrust bearing was established with consideration of the gas rarefaction coefficient. Under rarefied gas lubrication, the Knudsen number which was affected by the film thickness and pressure was introduced to the Reynolds equation. The coupled modified Reynolds and lubricating film thickness equations were solved using Newton-Raphson Iterative Method and Finite Difference Method. By calculating the load capacity for increasing rotor speeds, the lift-off speed under certain static load was obtained. Parametric studies for a series of structural parameters and assembled clearances were carried out for bearing optimization design. The results indicate that with gas rarefaction effect, the axial load capacity would be decreased, and the lift-off speed would be improved. The rarefied gas has a more remarkable impact under a lower rotating speed and a smaller foil compliance coefficient. When the assembled clearance of the thrust bearing rotor system lies in a small value, the lift-off speed increases dramatically as the assembled clearance decreases further. Therefore, the axial clearance should be controlled carefully in assembling the foil thrust bearing. It’s worth noting that the linear uniform bump foil stiffness model is not exact for large foil compliance ∼0.5, especially for lift-off speed analysis, due to ignoring the interaction between bumps and bending stiffness of the foil.

Gas Purging System to Extend Thrust Bearing Life in ESPs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Caridad ◽  
Arthur Watson ◽  
Song Shang ◽  
Eric Nguyen ◽  
Gocha Chochua
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Motor Oil ◽  
Oil Viscosity ◽  
Test Fixture ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Working Volume ◽  
Gas Purging ◽  
Critical Components

Abstract Electric submersible pump (ESP) systems use thrust bearings in the seal section to handle the thrust generated by the pump stages. Thrust bearings are subjected to harsh operating conditions, including high loads, poor oil circulation, and motor oil viscosity degradation. A less-recognized issue is gas becoming centrifugally trapped under the thrust runner. The gas may be present because of incomplete purging of air during filling, permeation of well gas into the motor oil, or gradual gasification of motor oil at high temperatures. Because thrust bearings are such critical components, it is of interest to increase their reliability, which in turn will increase ESP life. A novel gas purging system (GPS) was designed to alleviate stressors on thrust bearings, including gas accumulation, viscosity deterioration and gasification at high temperature, and low working oil volume. GPS circulates oil along with any gas that accumulates under the thrust runner up to a quiet separation chamber. Degassed oil circulates back to the thrust bearing, while accumulated gas eventually purges to the wellbore through relief valves on subsequent on/off cycles. GPS also improves viscosity and reduces gasification by cooling the oil, and it provides a greater working volume of thrust bearing oil to reduce the effects of oil deterioration. This paper details the GPS design principles as well as the optimization of the different design parameters that affect its performance conducted via computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Observations captured on a test fixture built using the final configuration are also presented, validating the intended functionality.

Some Effects of Start-Up and Shut-Down on Thrust Bearing Assemblies in Hydro-Generators

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (4) ◽  
pp. 824-832 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Ettles ◽  
J. Seyler ◽  
M. Bottenschein
Keyword(s):  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Transient Effects ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Thermal Bending ◽  
Run Up ◽  
Basic Studies

The modernization of hydro-generators can involve the analysis of many different manufacturer’s designs of thrust bearings. Recent designs of bearing in common use are very reliable, but when failures do occur, it is often with older machines and within the first few minutes of start-up. This paper is a result of general design studies of various thrust bearing configurations subjected to transient operating conditions. It is shown that transient effects can induce an ‘overshoot’ of thermal deformation which can become unstable, leading to ‘thermal ratchetting.’ Examples are given of pads of various manufacturer’s bearings that have been subjected to this mechanism. Results from operating turbines, basic studies and measurements of the thermal bending of plates indicate that a peak deflection occurs well before thermal equilibrium is attained. The peaking phenomenon may be obscured in some designs or in cases where the run-up is gradual. The beneficial effects of using an oil-lift system during start-up are described. During shut-down it is important that the contact of hot, crowned pads against the runner be prevented. Minimum times for operation of the lift system are suggested, based on the thickness of the pads.

The Influence of Ambient Pressure on the Measured Load Capacity of Bump-Foil and Spiral-Groove Gas Thrust Bearings at Ambient Pressures up to 69 Bar on a Novel High-Pressure Gas Bearing Test Rig

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Wilkes ◽  
Ryan Cater ◽  
Erik Swanson ◽  
Kevin Passmore ◽  
Jerry Brady
Keyword(s):  
Power Loss ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Spiral Groove ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing ◽  
Thrust Load

Abstract This paper will show the influence of ambient pressure on the thrust capacity of bump-foil and spiral-groove gas thrust bearings. The bearings were operating in nitrogen at various pressures up to 69 bar, and were tested to failure. Failure was detected at various pressures by incrementally increasing the thrust load applied to the thrust bearing until the bearing was no longer thermally stable, or until contact was observed by a temperature spike measured by thermocouples within the bearing. These tests were performed on a novel thrust bearing test rig that was developed to allow thrust testing at pressures up to 207 bar cavity pressure at 260°C while rotating at speeds up to 120,000 rpm. The test rig floats on hydrostatic air bearings to allow for the direct measurement of applied thrust load through linkages that connect the stationary thrust loader to the rotor housing. Test results on a 65 mm (2.56 in) bump-foil thrust bearing at 100 krpm show a marked increase in load capacity with gas density, which has not previously been shown experimentally. Results also show that the load capacity of a similarly sized spiral-groove thrust bearing are relatively insensitive to pressure, and supported an order-of-magnitude less load than that observed for the bump-foil thrust bearing. These results are compared with analytical predictions, which agree reasonably with the experimental results. Predicted power loss is also presented for the bump-foil bearing; however, measured power loss was substantially higher.

Development of Foil Thrust Bearings with Simple Structure for Micro Turbines

2011 ◽  
Vol 368-373 ◽  
pp. 1392-1395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quan Zhou ◽  
Yu Hou ◽  
Ru Gang Chen
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Simple Structure ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Complicated Structure ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Rotational Systems ◽  
Micro Turbine ◽  
Foil Thrust Bearing

Because of the low power loss and high stability, foil bearings are suitable lubrication components for high speed rotational systems. At present, the foil bearings used in actual applications almost have complicated structure and are hard to manufacture. In this paper, two kinds of foil thrust bearings with simple structure are presented. Configurations of these two foil thrust bearings are introduced; meanwhile, the load capacity and running stability are also tested in a high speed micro turbine. It is shown that viscoelastic supported foil thrust bearing has higher load capacity and hemisphere convex dots supported foil thrust bearing is more stable in high speed operational condition.

Steady State Performance Characteristics of a Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing

2000 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 608-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei B. Glavatskikh
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thrust Bearing ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Shaft Speed ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Bearing Load ◽  
Steady State Performance

The paper reports results of the experimental investigation into the steady state performance characteristics of a tilting pad thrust bearing typical of design in general use. Simultaneous measurements are taken of the pad and collar temperatures, the pressure distributions, oil film thickness, and power loss as a function of shaft speed, bearing load, and supplied oil temperature. The effect of operating conditions on bearing performance is discussed. A small radial temperature variation is observed in the collar. A reduction in minimum oil film thickness with load is approximately proportional to p−0.6, where p is an average bearing pressure. It has also been found that the oil film pressure profiles change not only due to the average bearing load but also with an increase in shaft speed and temperature of the supplied oil.

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