Thermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis of Tilting Pad Thrust Bearings

Abstract

The effects of elastic deformation of pad surface, rotational speed, axial load, and oil viscosity grade on tilting pad thrust bearing performance were analysed using the model of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication. The Reynolds equation, the viscosity—temperature and density—temperature characteristics of the lubricants, film thickness equation, energy equation, heat conduction equation, and elastic deformation equation were simultaneously solved with the finite-difference method. The results showed that the maximum pressure is reduced and the minimum film thickness is decreased, when pad deformation is taken into account. The rotational speed has significant effects on the film thickness and temperature, however, slight effects on hydrodynamic pressure. The heavier load leads to an increase in the maximum pressure and a decrease in the film thickness, and the temperature is slightly affected by the load. The oil film with higher viscosity grade has a higher load-carrying capacity, and consumes much more energy than those of low-viscosity fluid.