An Efficient Quasi-Three-Dimensional Model of Tilting Pad Journal Bearing for Turbomachinery Applications

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Rindi ◽  
Stefano Rossin ◽  
R. Conti ◽  
A. Frilli ◽  
E. Galardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Technical Data ◽  
Plant Behavior ◽  
Tilting Pad

The constant increase of turbomachinery rotational speed has brought the design and the use of journal bearings to their very limits: tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) have been introduced for high-speed/high-load applications due to their intrinsic stability properties and can be used both in transient and steady-state operations obtaining superior performances. An accurate analysis of the TPJBs behavior is essential for a successful design and operation of the system; however, it is necessary to reach a compromise between the accuracy of the results provided by the TPJB model and its computational cost. This research paper exposes the development of an innovative and efficient quasi-3D TPJB modeling approach that allows the simultaneous analysis of the system rotordynamics and the supply plant behavior; the majority of existing models describe these aspects separately but their complex interaction must be taken into account to obtain a more accurate characterization of the system. Furthermore, the proposed model is characterized by a high numerical efficiency and modularity, allowing for complex transient simulations of the complete plant and for the representation of different kind of bearings. The TPJB model has been developed and experimentally validated in collaboration with an industrial partner which provided the technical data of the system and the results of experimental tests.

A Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Model for Coupled Fluid Dynamical-Rotor Dynamical Analyses

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Conti ◽  
A. Frilli ◽  
E. Galardi ◽  
E. Meli ◽  
D. Nocciolini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Coupled Analysis ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Technical Data ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearing ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings ◽  
Modelling Approach

Turbomachines are continuously developing in order to reach higher levels of speed, power and efficiency and the classical Fixed Geometry Journal Bearings have been replaced by Tilting Pad Journal Bearings to avoid instability phenomena. In this paper, the authors propose an innovative quasi-3D TPJB modelling approach that allows the simultaneous and coupled analysis of the typical phenomena involved in TPJB operations. The authors focused on the accurate analysis of the interactions between the rotor and the lubricant supply plant and on the fluid dynamical effects due to the bearing that cause those couplings, aiming at reaching a good compromise between the accuracy and the numerical efficiency of the model (mandatory to analyze systems with many bearings). The TPJB model has been developed and experimentally validated in collaboration with Nuovo Pignone General Electric S.p.a. which provided the technical data of the system and the results of experimental tests.

scholarly journals Cooled Pads for Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings

Lubricants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Steven Chatterton ◽  
Paolo Pennacchi ◽  
Andrea Vania ◽  
Phuoc Vinh Dang
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
External Cooling ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

Tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJBs) are widely installed in rotating machines owing to their high stability, but some drawbacks can be noted, such as higher cost with respect to cylindrical journal bearings and thermal issues. High temperatures in the pads correspond to low oil-film thicknesses and large thermal deformations in the pads. Therefore, the restriction of the maximum temperature of the bearing is a key aspect for oil-film bearings. The temperature reduction is generally obtained by adopting higher oil inlet flowrates or suitable oil nozzles. In this paper, the idea of using cooled pads with internal channels in which an external cooling fluid is circulated will be applied to a TPJB for the first time. The three-dimensional TEHD model of the TPJB, equipped with a cooled pad, will be introduced, and the results of the numerical simulations will be discussed. Several analyses have been performed in order to investigate the influence of cooling conditions, such as the type, flowrate, inlet temperature and number of cooled pads. Two types of pad geometry with different cross-sections of the cooling circuit, namely, circular and six-square multi-channel sections, have been compared to the reference bearing with solid pads. Simple experimental tests were performed by means of a test rig equipped with a cooled pad bearing obtained with the additive manufacturing process, thus showing the effectiveness of the solution and the agreement with the predictions.

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.

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

2006 ◽  
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 (TPJB) 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 98 mm 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.

Efficient Models of Three-Dimensional Tilting Pad Journal Bearings for the Study of the Interactions Between Rotor and Lubricant Supply Plant

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Rindi ◽  
Stefano Rossin ◽  
R. Conti ◽  
A. Frilli ◽  
E. Galardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
3D Models ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Steady State Condition ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

In many industrial applications, tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) are increasingly used because they are very suitable both for high-speed and high external loads. Their study is fundamental in rotating machines and a compromise between accuracy and numerical efficiency is mandatory to achieve reliable results in a reasonable time. This paper mainly focuses on the development of efficient three-dimensional (3D) models of TPJBs, in order to contemporaneously describe both the rotor dynamics of the system and the lubricant supply plant in long simulations (from the initial transient phase to the steady-state condition). Usually, these two aspects are studied separately, but their interactions must be considered if an accurate description of the whole system is needed. The proposed model architecture considers all the six degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) between supporting structures and rotors and can be applied to different types of TJPB layout with different lubricant supply plants. In this research activity, the whole model has been developed and validated in collaboration with Nuovo Pignone General Electric S.p.a. which provided the required technical and experimental data.

Development and Validation of an Efficient TEHD Model of Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Conti ◽  
A. Frilli ◽  
E. Meli ◽  
D. Nocciolini ◽  
S. Panconi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Elastic Behaviour ◽  
Accurate Analysis ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Thermal Phenomena ◽  
Physical Phenomena ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

The large success of Tilting Pad Journal Bearings (TPJBs) for the use in high speed/high load applications is due to their intrinsic stability properties, which allow superior rotor dynamic performances. TPJBs operation involves different physical phenomena, like the pads flexibility and the heat exchange between solids and fluids: an accurate analysis of these phenomena is fundamental in order to successfully employ TPJBs. In this paper, the authors, in cooperation with General Electric Nuovo Pignone, develop an innovative 3D TPJB modelling approach that allows an accurate analysis of the interactions between the fluid dynamic and thermal phenomena with the elastic behaviour of the solid components (ThermoElastoHydroDynamic analysis). The main objective of the proposed model is to provide accurate 3D results with low computational times. The TPJB model has been also experimentally validated, focusing on the thermal characteristics of the system and the interactions due to the TEHD behaviour of the bearing system.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional low-order surge model for high-speed axial compressors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 274-284
Author(s):  
Mauro Righi ◽  
Vassilios Pachidis ◽  
László Könözsy ◽  
Fanzhou Zhao ◽  
Mehdi Vahdati
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Transient Flow ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
High Fidelity ◽  
Order Model ◽  
Axial Compressors ◽  
Aero Engines ◽  
Low Order

Surge in modern aero-engines can lead to violent disruption of the flow, damage to the blade structures and eventually engine shutdown. Knowledge of unsteady performance and loading during surge is crucial for compressor design, however, the understanding and prediction capability for this phenomenon is still very limited. While useful for the investigation of specific cases, costly experimental tests and high-fidelity CFD simulations cannot be used routinely in the design process of compressor systems. There is therefore an interest in developing a low-order model which can predict compressor performance during surge with sufficient accuracy at significantly reduced computational cost. This paper describes the validation of an unsteady 3D through-flow code developed at Cranfield University for the low-order modelling of surge in axial compressors. The geometry investigated is an 8-stage rig representative of a modern aero-engine IP compressor. Two deep surge events are modelled at part speed and full speed respectively. The results are compared against high-fidelity, full annulus, URANS simulations conducted at Imperial College. Comparison of massflow, pressure and temperature time histories shows a close match between the low-order and the higher-fidelity methods. The low-order model is shown capable of predicting many transient flow features which were observed in the high-fidelity simulations, while reducing the computational cost by up to two orders of magnitude.

Development and Validation of a Three-Dimensional Multiphase Flow CFD Analysis for Journal Bearings in Steam and Heavy Duty Gas Turbines

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Uhkoetter ◽  
Stefan aus der Wiesche ◽  
Michael Kursch ◽  
Christian Beck
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Air Entrainment ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Two Phase

The traditional method for hydrodynamic journal bearing analysis usually applies the lubrication theory based on the Reynolds equation and suitable empirical modifications to cover turbulence, heat transfer, and cavitation. In cases of complex bearing geometries for steam and heavy-duty gas turbines this approach has its obvious restrictions in regard to detail flow recirculation, mixing, mass balance, and filling level phenomena. These limitations could be circumvented by applying a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach resting closer to the fundamental physical laws. The present contribution reports about the state of the art of such a fully three-dimensional multiphase-flow CFD approach including cavitation and air entrainment for high-speed turbo-machinery journal bearings. It has been developed and validated using experimental data. Due to the high ambient shear rates in bearings, the multiphase-flow model for journal bearings requires substantial modifications in comparison to common two-phase flow simulations. Based on experimental data, it is found, that particular cavitation phenomena are essential for the understanding of steam and heavy-duty type gas turbine journal bearings.

CFD Simulation of Particle Transport and Dispersion in Indoor Environment by Human Walking

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iman Goldasteh ◽  
Goodarz Ahmadi ◽  
Andrea Ferro
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Turbulent Dispersion ◽  
Experimental Chamber ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Particle Resuspension

Particle resuspension is an important source of particulate matter in indoor environments that significantly affects the indoor air quality and could potentially have adverse effect on human health. Earlier efforts to investigate indoor particle resuspension hypothesized that high speed airflow generated at the floor level during the gate cycle is the main cause of particle resuspension. The resuspended particles are then assumed to be dispersed by the airflow in the room, which is impacted by both the ventilation and the occupant movement, leading to increased PM concentration. In this study, a three dimensional model of a room was developed using FLUENT™ CFD package. A RANS approach with the RNG k-ε turbulence model was used for simulating the airflow field in the room for different ventilation conditions. The trajectories of resuspended particulate matter were computed with a Lagrangian method by solving the equations of particle motion. The effect of turbulent dispersion was included with the use of the eddy lifetime model. The resuspension of particles due to gait cycle was estimated and included in the computational model. The dispersion and transport of particles resuspended from flooring as well as particle re-deposition on flooring and walls were simulated. Particle concentrations in the room generated by the resuspension process were evaluated and the results were compared with experimental chamber study data as well as simplified model predictions, and good agreement was found.

Influence of geometric parameters and operating conditions on the thermohydrodynamic behaviour of plain journal bearings

2000 ◽  
Vol 214 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
I Pierre ◽  
M Fillon
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Journal Bearings ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Thermal Dissipation ◽  
Radial Clearance ◽  
Geometric Factors ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Mass Flowrate

Hydrodynamic journal bearings are essential components of high-speed machinery. In severe operating conditions, the thermal dissipation is not a negligible phenomenon. Therefore, a three-dimensional thermohydrodynamic (THD) analysis has been developed that includes lubricant rupture and re-formation phenomena by conserving the mass flowrate. Then, the predictions obtained with the proposed numerical model are validated by comparison with the measurements reported in the literature. The effects of various geometric factors (length, diameter and radial clearance) and operating conditions (rotational speed, applied load and lubricant) on the journal bearing behaviour are analysed and discussed in order to inform bearing designers. Thus, it can be predicted that the bearing performance obtained highly depends on operating conditions and geometric configuration.

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