Improved Analytical Capabilities for Foil Air Bearings. Phase 1
Abstract
Completion of this Phase I study has presented an advanced analytic tool for predicting the performance of foil bearing and solid-walled bearing as well, operating at speeds wherein the Reynolds number is no longer small and the effects of the fluid inertia, the heat transfer and the turbulent flow become significant. The tool uses the 3-d Navier-Stokes approach for the fluid film thermohydrodynamics and the thermoelasticity treatment for the foil deformation. The Navier-Stokes approach is more complicated than the Reynolds equation approach, conventional or modified for the inclusion of inertia or turbulence. Nevertheless, the N-S approach has the capability of investigating the local behaviors of the lubricant and the foil. Especially, the prediction of temperature variation may eventually help explain the hot spots or burned spots which are often observed in a failed bearing. Two computer programs, 3DNSBRGJ (journal) and 3DNSBRGT (thrust) are developed through this Phase I study. The programs are capable of calculating bearing performance characteristics, and the velocity components, the temperature distribution, the foil deflection, the turbulence energy distribution and its dissipation rate. Keywords: Three-dimensional Navier Stokes equations; Fluid inertia; Thermoelasticity; Turbulence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA218071
Entities
People
- Erh-rong Wu
- Phyllis M. Wu