Design Charts for Optimum Bearing Configurations: 2—The Pivoted-Pad Thrust Bearing

Abstract

As a followup to an earlier paper in which a new type of design chart for full journal bearings was given a complete set of design charts for pivoted-pad thrust bearings (Michell bearings) shall now be presented. The dimensionless groups of parameters representing minimum film thickness and bearing traction for one single pad, respectively, have been plotted in a new design chart. Some illustrative examples demonstrating how to use the chart for optimization of pivoted-pad thrust bearings have been included. Some attention has also been paid to the stiffness of the film of lubricant. A design chart for film stiffness has been added to this purpose.