Characteristics of a Spherical-Seat TPJB With Four Methods of Directed Lubrication—Part I: Thermal and Static Performance

Abstract

Static and thermal characteristics (measured and predicted) are presented for a four-pad, spherical-seat, tilting-pad journal bearing (TPJB) with 0.5 pivot offset, 0.6 L/D, 101.6 mm nominal diameter, and 0.3 preload in the load-between-pivots orientation. One bearing is tested four separate times in the following four different lubrication configurations: (1) flooded single-orifice (SO) at the bearing shell, (2) evacuated leading edge groove (LEG), (3) evacuated spray-bar blocker (SBB), and (4) evacuated spray-bar (SB). The LEG, SBB, and SB are all considered methods of “directed lubrication.” These methods rely on lubrication injected directly to the pad/rotor interface. The same set of pads is used for every test to maintain clearance and preload; each method of lubrication is added as an assembly to the bearing. Test conditions include surface speeds and unit loads up to 85 m/s and 2.9 MPa, respectively. Static data include rotor–bearing eccentricities and attitude angles. Thermal data include measured temperatures from 16 bearing thermocouples. Twelve of the bearing thermocouples are embedded in the babbitt layer of the pads, while the remaining four are oriented at the leading and trailing edge of the loaded pads exposed to the lubricant. Bearing thermocouples provide a circumferential and axial temperature gradient. The pivot stiffness (pad and pivot in series) is measured and incorporated into predictions.