A Model for Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings Operating with Reduced Flow Rate ? Do Benefits Outweigh Risks?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasool Koosha ◽  
Luis San Andres
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Temperature Rise ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Lower Temperature ◽  
Thrust Pad ◽  
Reduced Flow

Abstract This paper implements a model into an existing thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) computational analysis tool to deliver load performance predictions for TPTBs operating with reduced flow rates. For bearings supplied with either a reduced flow or an over flow conditions, a sound model for the flow and thermal energy mixing in a feed groove determines the temperature of the lubricant entering a thrust pad. Under a reduced flow condition, the analysis reduces the effective arc length of a wetted pad until matching the available flow. Predicted discharge flow temperature rise and pad subsurface temperature rise from the present model match measurements in the archival literature for an eight-pad bearing supplied with 150% to 25% of the nominal flow rate, i.e., the minimum flow that fully lubricates the bearing pads. A supply flow above nominal rate increases the bearing drag power because the lubricant enters a pad at a lower temperature, and yet has little effect on a thrust pad peak temperature rise or its minimum film thickness. A reduced flow below nominal produces areas lubricant starvation zones, and thus the minimum film thickness substantially decreases while the film and pad's surface temperature rapidly increase to produce significant thermal crowning of the pad surface. A reduction in drag power with less lubricant supplied brings an immediate energy efficiency improvement to bearing operation. However, sustained long-term operation with overly warm pad temperatures could reduce the reliability of the mechanical element and its ultimate failure.

A Model for Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings Operating With Reduced Flow Rate – Do Benefits Outweigh Risks?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasool Koosha ◽  
Luis San Andrés
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Temperature Rise ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Flow Reduction ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Nominal Rate ◽  
Thrust Pad ◽  
Reduced Flow

Abstract The literature on tilting pad thrust bearings (TPTB) calls for flow reduction as an effective means to reduce drag power losses as well as oil pumping costs. However, the highest level of flow reduction a bearing can undergo while maintaining reliable operation is a key question that demands comprehensive analysis. This paper implements a model into an existing thermoelasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) computational analysis tool to deliver load performance predictions for TPTBs operating with reduced flow rates. For bearings supplied with either a reduced flow or an over flow conditions, a sound model for the flow and thermal energy mixing in a feed groove determines the temperature of the lubricant entering a thrust pad. Under a reduced flow condition, the analysis reduces the effective arc length of a wetted pad until matching the available flow. Predicted discharge flow temperature rise and pad subsurface temperature rise from the present model match measurements in the archival literature for an eight-pad bearing supplied with 150% to 25% of the nominal flow rate, i.e., the minimum flow that fully lubricates the bearing pads. A supply flow above nominal rate increases the bearing drag power because the lubricant enters a pad at a lower temperature, and yet has little effect on a thrust pad peak temperature rise or its minimum film thickness. A reduced flow below nominal produces areas lubricant starvation zones, and thus the minimum film thickness substantially decreases while the film and pad’s surface temperature rapidly increase to produce significant thermal crowning of the pad surface. Compared to the bearing lubricated with a nominal rate, a starved flow bearing produces a larger axial stiffness and a lesser damping coefficient. A reduction in drag power with less lubricant supplied brings an immediate energy efficiency improvement to bearing operation. However, sustained long-term operation with overly warm pad temperatures could reduce the reliability of the mechanical element and its ultimate failure.

Comparison of Dynamic Behavior of Elastic Connecting-Rod Bearing in Both Petrol and Diesel Engines

1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Fantino ◽  
Jean Frene
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Elastic Deformation ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Thickness Distribution ◽  
Connecting Rod ◽  
Significant Parameter ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Mechanical Factors

The method developed in an earlier work describing the dynamic behavior of an elastic connecting-rod bearing was used to compare the performance (minimum film thickness, torque and flow rate) of two different bearings which belong respectively to a petrol and a diesel engine. Results show that of all the mechanical factors considered (load, speed, viscosity . . . ), the most significant parameter is the load diagrams, which through the elastic deformation governs the film thickness distribution.

Improvement of the THD Performance of a Misaligned Plain Journal Bearing

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Bouyer ◽  
M. Fillon
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Hydrodynamic Pressure ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Local Defect ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Global Defect

This numerical study deals with the improvement of the thermohydrodynamic performance of a 100 mm plain journal bearing submitted to a constant misalignment torque under steady-state conditions. The performance of the misaligned journal bearing is improved by adding either a local or a global defect to the bearing geometry. The influence on bearing performance of the local defect, situated in the zone of minimum film thickness, is analyzed by using various widths and lengths of defect. A global defect, which is conical in shape and is located at one end of the bearing, is also studied under varying direction and magnitude of misalignment torque. Our main focus was on hydrodynamic pressure, temperature distributions at the film/bush interface, oil flow rate, power losses and film thickness. The defects significantly improved the performance of the bearing. The minimum film thickness increased by more than 60 percent and the temperature decreased, whilst the axial flow rate was barely affected. Thus, the defects can be an effective solution for misaligned bearings when they are submitted to extreme operating conditions.

Thermal and Starvation Effects on the Minimum Film Thickness in Inlet Zone in Cold Rolling

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Singh ◽  
R. K. Pandey ◽  
Y. Nath
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Temperature Rise ◽  
Speed Reduction ◽  
Heating Effects ◽  
Empirical Relations ◽  
Viscous Shear ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Starvation Effects ◽  
Shear Heating ◽  
Inlet Zone

The main objective of this research is to analyze the variation of minimum film thickness in the inlet zone of roll-strip interface by incorporating starvation and viscous shear heating effects at high rolling speeds (5–20m∕s), reduction ratios (0.05–0.20), and slip values (varying up to 20%). An additional objective of this paper is to develop empirical relations for predictions of minimum film thicknesses (both isothermal and thermal) and maximum film temperature rise in the inlet zone of the lubricated roll strip contact as functions of roll-speed, reduction ratio, material parameter, slip, and starvation parameter. An efficient numerical method based on Lobatto quadrature technique is adopted for rigorous analysis of the present problem. The results reveal that the existence of starvation seems to be beneficial in terms of reduction in maximum film temperature rise as well as reduction in quantity of oil required for lubrication provided thin continuous film exists at the contact.

Design of Efficient Turbulent Thrust Bearings

1977 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-121
Author(s):  
D. F. Wilcock
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Temperature Rise ◽  
Power Loss ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Higher Power ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Oil Flow ◽  
High Temperature Rise

Turbulence makes high speed conventionally designed bearings operate with higher power loss, high temperature rise, and lower oil flow than predicted. The objective of this paper is to show that the phenomenon of turbulence can be turned to the designer’s and operator’s advantage; and that turbulent thrust bearings can be designed to operate with lower power loss than conventional design would predict, while maintaining the same minimum film thickness and safe temperature rise.

Predictive tool for frictional performance of piston ring-pack/liner conjunction

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5513-5527
Author(s):  
J. W. Tee ◽  
S. H. Hamdan ◽  
W. W. F. Chong
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Piston Ring ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Frictional Losses ◽  
Fundamental Understanding ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Piston Ring Pack ◽  
Ring Pack

Fundamental understanding of piston ring-pack lubrication is essential in reducing engine friction. This is because a substantial portion of engine frictional losses come from piston-ring assembly. Hence, this study investigates the tribological impact of different piston ring profiles towards engine in-cylinder friction. Mathematical models are derived from Reynolds equation by using Reynolds’ boundary conditions to generate the contact pressure distribution along the complete piston ring-pack/liner conjunction. The predicted minimum film thickness is then used to predict the friction generated between the piston ring-pack and the engine cylinder liner. The engine in-cylinder friction is predicted using Greenwood and Williamson’s rough surface contact model. The model considers both the boundary friction and the viscous friction components. These mathematical models are integrated to simulate the total engine in-cylinder friction originating from the studied piston ring-pack for a complete engine cycle. The predicted minimum film thickness and frictional properties from the current models are shown to correlate reasonably with the published data. Hence, the proposed mathematical approach prepares a simplistic platform in predicting frictional losses of piston ring-pack/liner conjunction, allowing for an improved fundamental understanding of the parasitic losses in an internal combustion engine.

Sinusoidal Three-Lobe Bearings—Optimization and Stability Charts

1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. ten Napel ◽  
R. Bosma
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Stability Parameters ◽  
Stability Regions ◽  
Damping Coefficients ◽  
Optimum Position ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Stiffness And Damping

In contradistinction to the commonly used segmented three-lobe bearing, another type of bearing, i.e., the sinusoidal three-lobe bearing has been investigated in this paper. The main advantage of this bearing is that it can very easily be manufactured. Special attention has been paid to problems of optimization with regard to minimum film thickness and friction, respectively. Stiffness and damping coefficients have been calculated as well as stability regions and stability parameters. Additionally, the optimum position of the oil grooves has been investigated.

Dynamic Analysis of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing—Influence of Pad Deformations

1994 ◽  
Vol 116 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Desbordes ◽  
M. Fillon ◽  
C. Chan Hew Wai ◽  
J. Frene
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Pressure Field ◽  
Journal Bearing ◽  
Maximum Pressure ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Dimensional Finite Element ◽  
The One ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearing ◽  
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

A theoretical nonlinear analysis of tilting-pad journal bearings is presented for small and large unbalance loads under isothermal conditions. The radial displacements of internal pad surface due to pressure field are determined by a two-dimensional finite element method in order to define the actual film thickness. The influence of pad deformations on the journal orbit, on the minimum film thickness and on the maximum pressure is studied. The effects of pad displacements are to decrease the minimum film thickness and to increase the maximum pressure. The orbit amplitude is also increased by 20 percent for the large unbalance load compared to the one obtained for rigid pad.

Influence of Surface Waviness on the Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of an Eccentric-Tappet Pair

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wang ◽  
C. H. Venner ◽  
A. A. Lubrecht
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Surface Waviness ◽  
Film Pressure ◽  
Oil Film ◽  
Working Cycle ◽  
Temperature Oscillations ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Traction Coefficient ◽  
Oil Film Pressure

The effect of single-sided and double-sided harmonic surface waviness on the film thickness, pressure, and temperature oscillations in an elastohydrodynamically lubricated eccentric-tappet pair has been investigated in relation to the eccentricity and the waviness wavelength. The results show that, during one working cycle, the waviness causes significant fluctuations of the oil film, pressure, and temperature, as well as a reduction in minimum film thickness. Smaller wavelength causes more dramatic variations in oil film. The fluctuations of the pressure, film thickness, temperature, and traction coefficient caused by double-sided waviness are nearly the same compared with the single-sided waviness, but the variations are less intense.

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.

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