Thermohydrodynamic analysis of infinitely wide cycloidal profiled pad thrust bearing with rough surface and a comparison to plane profiled pad

This work reports the thermal analysis of hydrodynamically lubricated cycloidal profiled pad thrust bearing (CPPTB) using an efficient numerical method based on Lobatto quadrature technique. The performance parameters with smooth and rough surfaces of cycloidal and plane profiled pads are presented for various operating inputs. Significant increase in magnitude of pressure and substantial reduction in coefficient of friction are observed in the presence of relatively large amplitude of roughness over the surface of stationary pads. Comparisons are made for performance parameters achieved with plane profiled pad thrust bearing (PPPTB) and CPPTB. The load carrying capacity of CPPTB is found significantly high than the PPPTB for the provided set of operating parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.