Rotordynamic Performance of an Oil-Free Turbo Blower Focusing on Load Capacity of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Yong-Bok Lee ◽  
Tae Young Kim ◽  
Kyong Ho Jeong
Keyword(s):  
System Performance ◽  
Axial Load ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Operating Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Turbo Blower ◽  
Model Predictions

Engineered design of modern efficient turbomachinery based on accurate model predictions is of importance as operating speed and rate power increase. Industrial applications use hydrodynamic fluid film bearings as rotor support elements due to their advantages over rolling element bearings in operating speed, system stability (rotordynamic and thermal), and maintenance life. Recently, microturbomachinery (<250 kW) implement gas foil bearings (GFBs) as its rotor supports due to its compact design without lubricant supply systems and enhanced stability characteristics. To meet the needs from manufacturers, the turbomachinery development procedure includes a rotordynamic design and a gas foil journal bearing (GFJB) analysis in general. The present research focuses on the role of gas foil thrust bearings (GFJBs) supporting axial load (static and dynamic) in an oil-free turbo blower with a 75kW (100 HP) rate power at 30,000 rpm. The turbo blower provides a compressed air with a pressure ratio of 1.6 at a mass flow rate of 0.92 kg/s, using a centrifugal impeller installed at the rotor end. Two GFJBs with a diameter of 66mm and a length of 50mm and one pair of GFTB with an outer diameter of 144 mm and an inner diameter of 74 mm support the rotor with an axial length of 493 mm and a weight of 12.7 kg. A finite element rotordynamic model prediction using predicted linearized GFJB force coefficients designs the rotor-GFB system with stability at the rotor speed of 30,000 rpm. Model predictions of the GFTB show axial load carrying performance. Experimental tests on the designed turbo blower, however, demonstrate unexpected large amplitudes of subsynchronous rotor lateral motions. Post-inspection reveals minor rubbing signs on the GFJB top foils and significant wear on the GFTB top foil. Therefore, GFTB is redesigned to have the larger outer diameter of 166 mm for the enhanced load capacity, i.e., 145%, increase in its loading area. The modification improves the rotor-GFB system performance with dominant synchronous motions up to the rate speed of 30,000 rpm. In addition, the paper studies the effect of GFTB tilting angles on the system performance. Insertion of shims between the GFTB brackets changes the bearing tilting angles. Model predictions show the decrease in the thrust load capacity by as large as 86% by increase in the tilting angle to 0.0006 radian (0.03438 deg). Experimental test data verify the computational model predictions.

Rotordynamic Performance of an Oil-Free Turbo Blower Focusing on Load Capacity of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings

2011 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Yong-Bok Lee ◽  
Tae Young Kim ◽  
Kyong Ho Jeong
Keyword(s):  
System Performance ◽  
Axial Load ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Operating Speed ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Turbo Blower ◽  
Model Predictions

Engineered design of modern efficient turbomachinery based on accurate model predictions is of importance as operating speed and rate power increase. Industrial applications use hydrodynamic fluid film bearings as rotor support elements due to their advantages over rolling element bearings in operating speed, system stability (rotordynamic and thermal), and maintenance life. Recently, microturbomachinery (< 250 kW) implement gas foil bearings (GFBs) as its rotor supports due to its compact design without lubricant supply systems and enhanced stability characteristics. To meet the needs from manufacturers, the turbomachinery development procedure includes a rotordynamic design and a gas foil journal bearing (GFJB) analysis in general. The present research focuses on the role of gas foil thrust bearings (GFJBs) supporting axial load (static and dynamic) in an oil-free turbo blower with a 75 kW (100 HP) rate power at 30,000 rpm. The turbo blower provides a compressed air with a pressure ratio of 1.6 at a mass flow rate of 0.92 kg/s, using a centrifugal impeller installed at the rotor end. Two GFJBs with a diameter of 66mm and a length of 50 mm and one pair of GFTB with an outer diameter of 144 mm and an inner diameter of 74 mm support the rotor with an axial length of 493 mm and a weight of 12.7 kg. A finite element rotordynamic model prediction using predicted linearized GFJB force coefficients designs the rotor-GFB system with stability at the rotor speed of 30,000 rpm. Model predictions of the GFTB show axial load carrying performance. Experimental tests on the designed turbo blower; however, demonstrate unexpected large amplitudes of subsynchronous rotor lateral motions. Post-inspection reveals minor rubbing signs on the GFJB top foils and significant wear on the GFTB top foil. Therefore, GFTB is redesigned to have the larger outer diameter of 166 mm for the enhanced load capacity, i.e., 145%, increase in its loading area. The modification improves the rotor-GFB system performance with dominant synchronous motions up to the rate speed of 30,000 rpm. In addition, the paper studies the effect of GFTB tilting angles on the system performance. Insertion of shims between the GFTB brackets changes the bearing tilting angles. Model predictions show the decrease in the thrust load capacity by as large as 86% by increase in the tilting angle to 0.0006 rad (0.03438 deg). Experimental test data verify the computational model predictions.

A Water Lubricated Hybrid Thrust Bearing: Measurements and Predictions of Static Load Performance

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
Dara Childs
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Axial Load ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Supply Pressure ◽  
Inner Diameter

Process fluid lubricated thrust bearings (TBs) in a turbomachine control rotor placement due to axial loads arising from pressure fields on the front shroud and back surface of impellers. To date, prediction of aerodynamic induced thrust loads is still largely empirical. Thus needs persist to design and operate proven thrust bearings and to validate predictions of performance derived from often too restrictive computational tools. This paper describes a test rig for measurement of the load performance of water lubricated hydrostatic/hydrodynamic thrust bearings operating under conditions typical of cryogenic turbo pumps. The test rig comprises of a rigid rotor composed of a thick shaft and two end collars. A pair of flexure-pivot hydrostatic journal bearings (38 mm in diameter) support the rotor and quill shaft connected to a drive motor. The test rig hosts two thrust bearings (8 pockets with inner diameter equal to 41 mm and outer diameter equal to 76 mm); one is a test bearing and the other is a slave bearing, both facing the outer side of the thrust collars on the rotor. The slave TB is affixed rigidly to a bearing support. A load system delivers an axial load to the test TB through a non-rotating shaft floating on two aerostatic radial bearings. The test TB displaces to impose a load on the rotor thrust collar and the slave TB reacts to the applied axial load. The paper presents measurements of the TB operating axial clearance, flow rate and pocket pressure for conditions of increasing static load (max. 3,600 N) and shaft speed to 17.5 krpm (tip speed 69.8 m/s) and for an increasing water supply pressure into the thrust bearings, max. 17.2 bar (250 psig). Predictions from a bulk flow model that accounts for both fluid inertia and turbulence flow effects agree well with recorded bearing flow rates (supply and exiting thru the inner diameter), pocket pressure and ensuing film clearance due to the imposed external load. The measurements and predictions show a film clearance decreasing exponentially as the applied load increases. The bearing flow rate also decreases, and at the highest rotor speed and lowest supply pressure, the bearing is starved of lubricant on its inner diameter side, as predicted. The measured bearing flow rate and pocket pressure aid to the empirical estimation of the orifice discharge coefficient for use in the predictive tool. The test data and validation of a predictive tool give confidence to the integration of fluid film thrust bearings in cryogenic turbo pumps as well as in other more conventional (commercial) machinery. The USAF Upper Stage Engine Technology (USET) program funded the work during the first decade of the 21st century.

Design of Novel Gas Foil Thrust Bearings and Test Validation in a High-Speed Test Rig

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen LaTray ◽  
Daejong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Power Loss ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Design Feature ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Speed Test ◽  
Light Load

Abstract Small gas foil bearings (FBs) with shaft diameter below 25 mm can find many applications in air compressors for fuel cells, electrical turbo chargers, small unmanned air vehicles, turbo alternators, etc. These small machines are characterized by very light load to the radial FBs, and thus rotordynamics stability is more challenging than load capacity. However, a main challenge of gas foil thrust bearings (GFTBs) is how to increase the load capacity, and the challenge remains the same regardless of the size. In previous publications on experimental studies on GFTBs, the measured load capacity is well below the prediction due to challenges in testing as well as manufacturing of GFTBs. Difficulty in achieving the design load capacity often leads to increasing the bearing size in actual applications with penalty of higher power loss. This paper presents design feature of a novel GFTB with outer diameter of 38 mm and static performance up to 155 krpm under external load of 75 N using a high-speed test rig. The 38 mm GFTB presented in this paper is a three-layered structure for easy design and manufacturing, and the unique design feature allows easy scale down and scale up to different sizes. Reynolds equations for compressible gas and the two-dimensional thin plate model were adopted for fluid–structure interaction simulation to predict load capacity and power loss of the GFTB. The predicted power loss and load capacity agree well with the measurements.

Bump-Type Foil Bearings and Flexure Pivot Tilting Pad Bearings for Oil-Free Automotive Turbochargers: Highlights in Rotordynamic Performance

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keun Ryu ◽  
Zachary Ashton
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Gas Bearings ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Thermal Growth ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Tilting Pad Bearings

Oil-free turbochargers require gas bearings in compact units of enhanced rotordynamic stability, mechanical efficiency, and improved reliability with reduced maintenance costs compared with oil-lubricated bearings. Implementation of gas bearings into automotive turbochargers requires careful thermal management with accurate measurements verifying model predictions. Foil bearings are customarily used in oil-free microturbomachinery because of their distinct advantages including tolerance to shaft misalignment and centrifugal/thermal growth, and large damping and load capacity compared with rigid surface gas bearings. Flexure pivot tilting pad bearings are widely used in high performance turbomachinery since they offer little or no cross-coupled stiffnesses with enhanced rotordynamic stability. The paper details the rotordynamic performance and temperature characteristics of two prototype oil-free turbochargers; one supported on foil journal and thrust bearings and the other one is supported on flexure pivot tilting pad journal bearings and foil thrust bearings of identical sizes (OD and ID) with the same aerodynamic components. The tests of the oil-free turbochargers, each consisting of a hollow rotor (∼0.4 kg and ∼23 mm in outer diameter at the bearing locations), are performed for various imbalances in NVH (i.e, cold air driven rotordynamics rig) and gas stand test facilities up to 130 krpm. No forced cooling air flow streams are supplied to the test bearings and rotor. The measurements demonstrate the stable performance of the rotor-gas bearing systems in an ambient NVH test cell with cold forced air into the turbine inlet. Posttest inspection of the test flexure pivot tilting pad bearings after the hot gas stand tests evidences seizure of the hottest bearing, thereby revealing a notable reduction in bearing clearance as the rotor temperature increases. The compliant flexure pivot tilting pad bearings offer a sound solution for stable rotor support only at an ambient temperature condition while demonstrating less tolerance for shaft growth, centrifugal and thermal, beyond its clearance. The current measurements give confidence in the present gas foil bearing technology for ready application into automotive turbochargers for passenger car and commercial vehicle applications with increased reliability.

Comparative Study on Static Characteristics of Double-Pad Inwardly and Outwardly Pumping Water-Lubricated Spiral-Groove Thrust Bearings

2021 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaowen Zhang ◽  
Shuyun Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Axial Load ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Static Characteristics ◽  
Spiral Groove ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Axial Load Capacity ◽  
Better Than

Abstract The purpose of this technical brief is to investigate comparatively the static characteristics of the double-pad inwardly pumping and outwardly pumping water-lubricated spiral-groove thrust bearings (SGTBs). Firstly, a thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication model including the cavitating, centrifugal, and turbulent effects is established for the double-pad water-lubricated SGTB operating at a high-speed condition. Subsequently, the film thickness and volume flowrate are verified by an experimental study for the high-speed water-lubricated SGTBs. Finally, the effects of the operating conditions and configuration parameters on the static characteristics of the double-pad inwardly pumping and outwardly pumping SGTBs are analyzed systematically. The simulated results show that when the radius ratio exceeds 0.7, the outwardly pumping SGTB can perform better than the inwardly pumping version, with good axial load capacity, higher resistance to tilting and always positive radial flowrate.

Bump-Type Foil Bearings and Flexure Pivot Tilting Pad Bearings for Oil-Free Automotive Turbochargers: Highlights in Rotordynamic Performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keun Ryu ◽  
Zachary Ashton
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Gas Bearings ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Foil Bearings ◽  
Thermal Growth ◽  
Tilting Pad ◽  
Tilting Pad Bearings

Oil-free turbochargers (TCs) require gas bearings in compact units of enhanced rotordynamic stability, mechanical efficiency, and improved reliability with reduced maintenance costs compared with oil-lubricated bearings. Implementation of gas bearings into automotive TCs requires careful thermal management with accurate measurements verifying model predictions. Gas foil bearings (GFBs) are customarily used in oil-free microturbomachinery because of their distinct advantages including tolerance to shaft misalignment and centrifugal/thermal growth, and large damping and load capacity compared with rigid surface gas bearings. Flexure pivot tilting pad bearings (FPTPBs) are widely used in high-performance turbomachinery since they offer little or no cross-coupled stiffnesses with enhanced rotordynamic stability. The paper details the rotordynamic performance and temperature characteristics of two prototype oil-free TCs; one supported on foil journal and thrust bearings and the other one is supported on FPTP journal bearings and foil thrust bearings of identical sizes (outer diameter (OD) and inner diameter (ID)) with the same aerodynamic components. The tests of the oil-free TCs, each consisting of a hollow rotor (∼0.4 kg and ∼23 mm in OD at the bearing locations), are performed for various imbalances in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH; i.e., cold air driven rotordynamics rig) and gas stand test facilities up to 130 krpm. No forced cooling air flow streams are supplied to the test bearings and rotor. The measurements demonstrate the stable performance of the rotor–gas bearing systems in an ambient NVH test cell with cold forced air into the turbine inlet. Post-test inspection of the test FPTPGBs after the hot gas stand tests evidences seizure of the hottest bearing, thereby revealing a notable reduction in bearing clearance as the rotor temperature increases. The compliant FPTPGBs offer a sound solution for stable rotor support only at an ambient temperature condition while demonstrating less tolerance for shaft growth, centrifugal, and thermal, beyond its clearance. The current measurements give confidence in the present GFB technology for ready application into automotive TCs for passenger car and commercial vehicle applications with increased reliability.

Identification of Dynamic Characteristics of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings Using Base Excitation

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tae Ho Kim ◽  
Moon Sung Park ◽  
Jongsung Lee ◽  
Young Min Kim ◽  
Kyoung-Ku Ha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Characteristics ◽  
Dynamic Load ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Excitation Frequency ◽  
Vibrational Amplitude ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Bearing Plate ◽  
Bearing Stiffness

Gas foil bearings (GFBs) have clear advantages over oil-lubricated and rolling element bearings, by virtue of low power loss, oil-free operation in compact units, and rotordynamic stability at high speeds. However, because of the inherent low gas viscosity, GFBs have lower load capacity than the other bearings. In particular, accurate measurement of load capacity and dynamic characteristics of gas foil thrust bearings (GFTBs) is utmost important to widening their applications to high performance turbomachinery. In this study, a series of excitation tests were performed on a small oil-free turbomachinery with base excitations in the rotor axial direction to measure the dynamic load characteristics of a pair of six-pad, bump-type GFTBs, which support the thrust collar. An electromagnetic shaker provided dynamic sine sweep loads to the test bench (shaking table), which held rigidly the turbomachinery test rig for increasing excitation frequency from 10 Hz to 200 Hz. The magnitude of the shaker dynamic load, represented as an acceleration measured on the test rig, was increased up to 9 G (gravity). An eddy current sensor installed on the test rig housing measured the axial displacement (or vibrational amplitude) of the rotor thrust collar during the excitation tests. The axial acceleration of the rotor relative to the test rig was calculated using the measured displacement. A single degree-of-freedom base excitation model identified the frequency-dependent dynamic load capacity, stiffness, damping, and loss factor of the test GFTB for increasing shaker dynamic loads and increasing bearing clearances. The test results show that, for a constant shaker force and the test GFTB with a clearance of 155 μm, an increasing excitation frequency increases the dynamic load carried by the test GFTB, i.e., bearing reaction force, until a certain value of the frequency where it jumps down suddenly because of the influence from Duffing’s vibrations of the rotor. The bearing stiffness increases and the damping decreases dramatically as the excitation frequency increases. Generally, the bearing loss factor ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 independent of the frequency. As the shaker force increases, the bearing dynamic load, stiffness, damping, and loss factor increase depending on the excitation frequency. Interestingly, the agreements between the measured GFTB dynamic load versus the thrust runner displacement, the measured GFTB static load versus the structural deflection, and the predicted static load versus the thrust runner displacement are remarkable. Further tests with increasing GFTB clearances of 155, 180, 205, and 225 μm revealed that the vibrational amplitude increases and the jump-down frequency decreases with increasing clearances. The bearing load increases, but the bearing stiffness, damping, and loss factor decrease slightly as the clearance increases. The test results after a modification of the GFTB by rotating one side bearing plate by 30° relative to the other side bearing plate revealed insignificant changes in the dynamic characteristics. The present dynamic performance measurements provide a useful database of GFTBs for use in microturbomachinery.

Axial load-capacity of rectangular cement stabilized rammed earth column

2015 ◽  
Vol 99 ◽  
pp. 402-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deb Dulal Tripura ◽  
Konjengbam Darunkumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Axial Load ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Rammed Earth ◽  
Axial Load Capacity

Axial load capacity of cylindrical shells with local geometric defects

1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Krishnakumar ◽  
C. G. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Axial Load ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Cylindrical Shells ◽  
Axial Load Capacity

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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