A Thermohydrodynamic Lubrication Analysis to Design Large Two-Pad Journal Bearing With Cooling Ditches

Abstract

A newly developed large two-pad journal bearing with cooling ditches and viscous pump for turbines of electric utilities was analyzed theoretically. The turbulent thermohydrodynamic lubrication analysis was done in connection with the flow analysis of oil circulating system through the cooling ditches and the viscous pump. The complicated simultaneous equations concerned with the oil flow in the bearing were solved and used to design a bearing of 535 mm diameter which will make its appearance in a near future. Full size bearing tests were carried out to check the bearing performance and viscous pump performance and to confirm the accuracy of the calculation method. Good agreement was obtained between the theoretical and experimental results.

Recent thermohydrodynamic analyses and designs of thick-film bearings

“…Taniguchi et al [4] applied their turbulent THD model to a newly designed large two-pad tilting-pad journal bearing with cooling ditches on the back surface of the pads. They found that the predicted bearing performance was in good agreement with measurements obtained in a full-size bearing test rig.…”

Confirmation of performance and reliability of direct lubricated tilting two pads bearing

“…14 An additional key point might be a reduction of pads, and experimental and analytical results of two pad bearing were reported. 15…”