Performance Characteristics of Oil Lubricated Swing-Pad Thrust Bearings with Different Radii of Curvatures.
Abstract
Frictional performance of oil lubricated thrust bearings of conventional tilt-pad and swing-pad designs is presented. Results from the conventional tilt-pad bearing are used as a baseline. All tests were conducted at a speed of 35 rpm and a sump temperature of 50 C (122 F). Thrust load was increased in increments generally from 2,069 kPa (300 psi) until onset of mixed lubrication. All bearings were tested with the pad surfaces in the centered and off-centered positions. Various radii of curvature were evaluated in the swing-pad version. Friction results for all bearings in the hydrodynamic region compared favorably with conventinal hydrodynamic theory. The hydrodynamic load capacity of one version of the swing-pad design was 79 percent greater than that of the centered tilt-pad bearing. Improvements in performance were observed in the regions of hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication by offsetting the pad surfaces for the tilt-pad and elastomeric swing-pad bearings. Performance for the elastomeric swing-pad bearing improved as a function of decreased radius of curvature in the laminates. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA093173
Entities
People
- Nathan T. Sides
- Thomas L. Daugherty