Computer Graphics for Bearing Dynamic Analysis
Abstract
The enormous amount of data produced by computer codes used by the aerospace industry to design and evaluate high speed rolling element bearings makes it difficult and time consuming to synthesize and evaluate analysis results. The objective of this research effort was to determine if computer graphics and animation techniques can be used to develop software tools for postprocessing dynamic analysis results and presenting the results in a clear concise graphical format. The software developed uses the output from a bearing dynamic modeling code to create an animation of the bearing such that the interactions of the bearing components can be viewed. During this study, a graphical postprocessor was developed that uses results from dynamic analysis to animate an operating ball bearing as viewed from an axial prospective. The software also includes various informational displays to present different types of bearing performance data in addition to bearing animation. The races and cages were displayed in two-dimensional graphics and the rolling elements were displayed in three-dimensional graphics. The software was used to review several bearing analysis data sets and it was found that use of the animation software improved comprehension of the analysis results and promoted better understanding of the kinetic phenomena occurring in the bearing. The technology developed will significantly improve the utilization of dynamic bearing analysis codes, by providing better understanding of bearing operating characteristics, leading to more reliable and cost effective rolling element bearing designs. Proposed future research Rolling Element Bearings, Bearing Design, Computer graphics, Animation, Thermal Analysis, Dynamic Analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 30, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA247567
Entities
People
- Doug A. Clemons
- James D. Moore