Turbulent Lubrication of Tilting-Pad Thrust Bearings With Thermal and Elastic Deformations

Abstract

Pad deformations of sector-shaped, tilting-pad thrust bearings affecting turbulent lubrication are discussed theoretically. Solving the lubrication and energy equations with turbulence and centrifugal forces and the elastic and moment balance equations of a pad simultaneously, film pressure and temperature distributions, thermal and elastic deformations and inclinations of a pad are obtained. Film thicknesses at a pivot under a constant shaft speed become larger due to pad deformations, whereby pad inclinations increase and friction torque coefficients decrease outstandingly. It is important to introduce the effects of pad deformations when analysing performances of such bearings running in the turbulent conditions.