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.

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

2016 ◽  
Vol 139 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
Dara Childs
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Axial Load ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Back Surface ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
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 TBs 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 TBs operating under conditions typical of cryogenic turbo pumps (TPs). 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) supports the rotor and quill shaft connected to a drive motor. The test rig hosts two TBs (eight 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 nonrotating 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. 3600 N) and shaft speed to 17.5 krpm (tip speed 69.8 m/s) and for an increasing water supply pressure into the TBs, 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 through 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 TBs in cryogenic TPs 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.

Static Load Performance of a Water-Lubricated Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rohmer ◽  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Scott Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Axial Stiffness ◽  
Axial Loads ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Supply Pressure ◽  
Axial Clearance

In rotating equipment, thrust bearings aid to balance axial loads and control shaft position. In turbomachinery, axial loads depend on shaft speed and pressure rise/drop on the impellers. This paper details a water-lubricated test rig for measurement of the performance of hydrostatic thrust bearings (HTBs). The rig contains two water-lubricated HTBs (105 mm outer diameter (OD)), one is the test bearing and the other a slave bearing. Both bearings face the outer side of thrust collars of a rotor. The paper shows measurements of HTB axial clearance, flow rate, and recess pressure for operation with increasing static load (max. 1.4 bar) and supply pressure (max. 4.14 bar) at a rotor speed of 3 krpm (12 m/s OD speed). Severe angular misalignment, static and dynamic, of the bearing surface against its collar persisted and affected all measurements. The HTB axial clearance increases as the supply pressure increases and decreases quickly as the applied load increases. The reduction in clearance increases the flow resistance across the film lands, thus reducing the through flow rate with an increase in recess pressure. In addition, an estimated bearing axial stiffness increases as the operating clearance decreases and as the supply pressure increases. Predictions from a bulk flow model qualitatively agree with the measurements. Alas they are not accurate enough. The differences likely stem from the inordinate tilts (static and dynamic) as well as the flow condition. The test HTB operates in a flow regime that spans from laminar to incipient turbulent. Quantification of misalignment at all operating conditions is presently a routine practice during operation of the test rig.

Static Load Performance of a Water Lubricated Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis San Andrés ◽  
Michael Rohmer ◽  
Scott Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Static Load ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Axial Stiffness ◽  
Axial Loads ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Thrust Bearings ◽  
Supply Pressure ◽  
Axial Clearance

In rotating equipment, thrust bearings aid to balance axial loads and control shaft position. In turbomachinery, axial loads depend on shaft speed and pressure rise/drop on the impellers. This paper details a water lubricated test rig for measurement of the performance of hydrostatic thrust bearings (HTBs). The rig contains two water lubricated HTBs (105 mm outer diameter), one is the test bearing and the other a slave bearing. Both bearings face the outer side of thrust collars of a rotor. The paper shows measurements of HTB axial clearance, flow rate, and recess pressure for operation with increasing static load (max. 1.4 bar) and supply pressure (max. 4.14 bar) at a rotor speed of 3 krpm (12 m/s OD speed). Severe angular misalignment, static and dynamic, of the bearing surface against its collar persisted and affected all measurements. The HTB axial clearance increases as the supply pressure increases and decreases quickly as the applied load increases. The reduction in clearance increases the flow resistance across the film lands thus reducing the through flow rate with an increase in recess pressure. In addition, an estimated bearing axial stiffness increases as the operating clearance decreases and as the supply pressure increases. Predictions from a bulk flow model qualitatively agree with the measurements. Alas they are not accurate enough. The differences likely stem from the inordinate tilts (static and dynamic) as well as the flow condition. The test HTB operates in a flow regime that spans from laminar to incipient turbulent. Quantification of misalignment at all operating conditions is presently a routine practice during operation of the test rig.

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.

scholarly journals HYDRAULIC ANALYSIS OF DRIP LATERALS WITH INSIDE WELDED PRESSURE COMPENSATING DRIPPERS

2019 ◽  
pp. 575-580
Author(s):  
Dimitar Georgiev ◽  
Veselin Karasinkerov
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Elastic Membrane ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Engineering Project ◽  
Head Losses ◽  
Horizontal Part ◽  
Distribution Uniformity ◽  
Inner Diameter

Lately, the drip irrigation systems built with pressure compensating (PC) drippers (emitters) inside welded in the drip laterals, find more and more application in Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and other countries having well-developed irrigation-based agriculture, especially where the ground is not flat but rather is of hilly nature. The main advantage of these systems is the provision of uniform flow rate along the laterals and batteries (blocks) in the whole drip systems irrespectively of the alteration of the operating pressure, and, besides, this allows long laterals to be designed. The recommended operating pressure starts from 0.5 – 1.0 atm and reaches 4 – 5 atm. Reaching equal drip flow rate in these systems is realized thanks to an elastic membrane with fixed strength parameters, located at the outlet of the nozzles in a specially arranged bed (nest) for this purpose. The advertisement of the applications of those nozzles in the company catalogs is very intensive but is it true for all types of pressure compensating drippers? In laboratory conditions we carried out hydraulic tests of drip laterals with inside welded pressure compensating drippers, cylinder type, in order to find out the head losses along the drip lateral. The laterals were with a nominal outer diameter 16 mm, inner diameter 13.8 mm, thickness of the wall 1.1 mm and flow rate 2.1 l/h, at intervals of 33 cm between the drippers, with lengths 60, 80 and 100 m. The results showed considerable head losses, with great deviations from the ones obtained by analytic way through formulas. For example, in a 100 m long lateral, the losses reach 60 to 75% of the applied operating pressure at the beginning of the lateral. Some specific data from the tests – in case of inlet pressure of 18, 20 and 25 m, the head losses are respectively 12, 14 and 17 m which means that in case of flat ground and such with back slope it is almost impossible to realize a length of 100 m and more of the lateral. All drippers will not operate at the horizontal part of the curve “pressure-flow rate” but at the transitional part of this curve. It follows from this that irrespectively of the pressure compensating action of those nozzles, this type of laterals will hardly find application in real conditions in the design of an engineering project for drip irrigation respecting the admissible coefficients of the distribution uniformity of the irrigation water. The same is valid for the other tested laterals as well. Sometimes, laying conventional type of laterals is more appropriate and brings better results. All this is due to the considerable minor head losses in those nozzles because of the sizable constriction of the cross section of the laterals by the nest (bed) of the membrane.

Masterpieces of Oriental Art. 16: Late Mauryan or Early Śuṅga Ring-stones

1951 ◽  
Vol 83 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
John Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Special Interest ◽  
Outer Side ◽  
Full Description ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Complete Ring ◽  
Female Nude ◽  
Surface Decoration ◽  
Inner Diameter ◽  
Victoria And Albert Museum ◽  
Flowering Tree

A carved ring-stone and fragment of a second similar stone, both probably of the late Mauryan or early Śuṅga period, are among minor antiquities of exceptional interest recently acquired by the Indian Section, Victoria and Albert Museum, from the collection of Colonel D. H. Gordon, D.S.O., O.B.E. Both pieces were bought some years ago by Colonel Gordon from a local dealer in the Taxila area. Their special interest derives not only from fineness of craftsmanship but also from the fact that their use has remained an archæological problem for more than seventy years. A full description follows:—A. Ring-stone: greyish-buff sandstone, highly polished. Carved in low relief, the upper surface having two concentric cableedged bands filled with cross-and-reel motives (slightly pyramidal); the sides of the hole with four standing female nudes alternating with four flowering trees. The base and outer sides are left plain.Outer diameter, 3·37 inches. Inner diameter, 1·06 inches. Depth, 1 inch. Weight, 8¾ ounces.B. Fragment of ring-stone: pinkish-buff sandstone, highly polished. Carved in slightly deeper relief, the upper surface decoration being identical with A. A similar standing female nude appears on the side of the hole, but beside her, instead of a flowering tree, there is an Indian “honeysuckle” motive, partly visible. The base and outer side are left plain.The following measurements are based on a reconstruction of the complete ring. Outer diameter, 3·37 inches. Inner diameter, 0·84 inches. Depth, 0·75 inches.

Experimental Investigation to Enhance the Heat Transfer in Heat Exchanger by Made Groove in Outer Surface of the Inner Tube

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Zena K. Kadhim ◽  
Safaa Abed Mohammad
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchanger ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Outer Surface ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Outer Tube ◽  
Copper Tube ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Inner Diameter

This study deals with experimental work implementing to recover the benefit by changing the shape of the tube in heat exchanger (HE) and improving the heat transfer using water as the working fluid. The experimental tests were carried out in build and design a complete test system for counter flow heat exchanger. The tested system consisting of a copper tube with (1m) length (17.05) mm inner diameter (19.05) mm outer diameter, fixed concentric within the outer tube was made of a material PVC. With an “inner diameter (ID) (43 mm) and outer diameter (OD) (50 mm)” isolated from the outside by using insulating material to reduce heat loss. The modify tube was manufacture containing transverse grooves with the depth equivalent to the half thickness of the copper tube. The distance between the grooves on the outer surface of the copper tube is take as a ratio between (0.5, 1) from the outer tube diameter. The laboratory experiment use the hot water at a flow rate ranging between (1-5) LPM, passes in the inner copper tube. As well as the cooling water with the mass flow rate ranging between (3-7) LPM. Three temperatures were the hot fluid are the adoption of (40, 50 and 60) oC and (25) oC the cold fluid. The experiment result showed that the improvement for temperature difference ranging from (14.94 % to 43.2 %) for both corrugated tubes with respect to smooth tube.

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.

Experimental Study on Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow in Vertical Rifled

2012 ◽  
Vol 505 ◽  
pp. 524-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulati Muftah Mohamed Ibrahim ◽  
Bashir Rahuma Elhub ◽  
H. Abas A. Wahab
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Experimental Study ◽  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Smooth Tube ◽  
Enhancement Effect ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Flow Monitoring ◽  
Inner Diameter

In this paper, heat transfer and fluid flow monitoring experiments for pressure drop and efficiency were performed to investigate the fluid flow characteristics of rifled tubes in comparison with a smooth tube. The rifled tube has an outer diameter of 25mm, maximum inner diameter of 18.8 mm; minimum inner diameter of 17.50mm, rib height of 0.6835, rib width of 9.25, helix angles 60 o and the number of starts is four. The smooth tube has an outer diameter of 26.7mm and an inner diameter of 18.88 mm, with a wall thickness of 3.91mm. The experiments were conducted on a vertical orientation of the steel tubes (rifled and smooth) under varying flow rate of 15, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70. The fluid used is 131.64 litres of water and the initial temperature is 25oC. The fluid is raised to an average temperature of 33oC during the experimental study. During the experiment, it was found that at 360 mins for the smooth tube, an increase in flow rate does not affect the time for the fluid (water) to attain a temperature of 33oC. For the rifled tube, as the flow rate increases, the time for the fluid (water) to attain a temperature of 33oC also increases. This is as a result of the effect of ribbing the tube. The time taken to attain the optimum temperature of 33oC is shorter using the rifled tube than the smooth tube. The rifled tube has heat transfer efficiency higher than the smooth tube. The pressure drop and the energy consumed by using the rifled tube were also found to be less than that of the smooth tube. The pressure drop increase factor was found to be 0.85 in the spirally rifled tube as compared to the smooth tube at the different flow rates. The enhancement effect of ribbing the tube is apparent.

Processing of Wrought Magnesium Alloys to Produce Small Tubes for Biomedical Applications: Investigation about the Extrusion Process by a Laboratory Test Rig

2011 ◽  
Vol 491 ◽  
pp. 75-80
Author(s):  
Qiang Ge ◽  
Maurizio Vedani
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Hot Extrusion ◽  
Extrusion Process ◽  
Grain Structure ◽  
Outer Diameter ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Inner Diameter ◽  
Ebsd Technique ◽  
Equiaxed Grain ◽  
Basal Type

Two commercial ZM21 and AZ31B alloys were extruded into small-size tubes at 410°C and strain rate 2.78·10-3 s-1 by a laboratory hot-extrusion system. The series of tubes, with outer diameter in the range of 8-4 mm and inner diameter from 6 to 3 mm were investigated considering microstructure and texture analysis. The tubes featured a homogeneous and refined equiaxed grain structure since dynamic recrystallization was clearly observed during the extrusion process. A typical ‘basal’ type texture was detected in extruded tubes by using EBSD technique.

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