Finite element method analysis of hydrostatic thrust pad bearings operating with electrically conducting lubricant

Abstract

A theoretical investigation has been carried out to explore the use of electrically conducting fluids as lubricants in circular and elliptical hydrostatic thrust pad bearings subjected to transverse magnetic field. Flow of electrically conducting fluid in the presence of external transverse magnetic field is represented by the addition of Lorentz force in Navier-Stokes equation. A MATLAB source code based on finite element formulation of the modified Reynolds equation is developed for obtaining static and dynamic characteristics parameters of the bearing. Influence of aspect ratio (major/minor-axis) and magnetic field (Hartmann number) are analyzed on the performance of elliptical pad bearing. Application of electrically conducting lubricant in the elliptical pad is observed to provide higher values of fluid film stiffness (44.93%) and damping (139.37%) coefficients as compared to the circular pad operating with Newtonian lubricant.

Effect of geometric shape of micro-grooves on the performance of textured hybrid thrust pad bearing

“…Figure 1c) are considered in the present investigation. Based on the available literature [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37], two values of Hartmann number have been chosen to represent Newtonian lubricant (H = 0) and electrically conducting lubricant (H = 3) in numerical simulations. Performance has been evaluated in terms of non-dimensional physical quantities, namely fluid film pressure profile, loadcarrying capacity, lubricant flow rate, frictional power loss, fluid film stiffness and damping coefficients.…”

“…The above-mentioned studies predicted a substantial enhancement in external load bearing capacity and time of approach (of squeeze film) with the magnetohydrodynamic lubrication in their respective bearings. Recently, Kumar and Sharma [34][35][36] numerically simulated the hydrostatic thrust bearings, considering influence of pocket shape and compensating element, operating with magneto-hydrostatic lubrication. The authors reported that the steady-state and dynamic characteristics of hydrostatic bearings can be suitably managed by manufacturing non-conventional recess shapes in the thrust pad.…”

“…The authors reported that the steady-state and dynamic characteristics of hydrostatic bearings can be suitably managed by manufacturing non-conventional recess shapes in the thrust pad. Further, these studies [34][35][36] concluded that a better dynamic response from thrust bearing (under magneto-hydrostatic lubrication) can be achieved, provided compensating elements are designed with lower value of restrictor design parameter (< 2). Liquid mercury and gallium-based alloy [37] are examples of commercially available electrically conducting lubricants.…”

Influence of bearing surface irregularities on hybrid slot-entry journal bearing with electrically conducting lubricant

“…The geometric/operating parameters and electrically conducting lubricant rheological properties shown in Table 2, have been taken from the available literature. 1,2,4,10,14,22,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Based on the literatures, the lubricant properties and the geometric/operating parameters have been judiciously selected.…”

“…Electrically conducting Lubricant properties and bearing operating, geometric parameters. 1,2,4,10,14,22,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Bearing depict the surface irregularities and ECL in a magnetic field enhances the value of " h min . The surface irregularities offer more divergent and convergent regions at the bearing surface.…”