Testing of a Large Adjustable Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing

The design and testing of two novel adjustable hydrodynamic journal bearings are outlined. Each was designed to replace a conventional bearing in a large marine gearbox. They were tested in a land based rig and their performances compared with that of the conventional bearing.

The novel bearings demonstrated the ability to suppress journal centre orbits, to reposition the journal centre in any direction, and to operate with significantly reduced temperature rise. One of the bearings also demonstrated the ability to translate the journal centre in a controlled manner by an amount exceeding double the clearance of the conventional bearing. Implications of such characteristics are considered as potential benefits in various bearing applications.     

The possibility of evaluating turbo-set bearing misalignment defects on the basis of bearing trajectory features

This paper presents the results of computer simulation of bearing misalignment defects in a power turbogenerator. This malfunction is typical for great multi-rotor and multi-bearing rotating machines and very common in power turbo-sets. Necessary calculations were carried out by the computer code system MESWIR, developed and used at the IFFM in Gdansk for calculating dynamics of rotors supported on oil bearings. The results are presented in the form of a set of journal and bush trajectories of all turbo-set bearings. Our analysis focuses on the vibrational effects of displacing the two most vulnerable machine bearings in horizontal and vertical directions by the maximum acceptable range calculated with regard to bearing vibration criterion. This assumption required preliminary assessment of the maximum values for the permissible bearing dislocations. We show the relations between the attributes of the particular bearing trajectories and the bearing displacements in relation to their base design position. The shape and dimensions of bearing trajectories are interpreted based on the theory of hydrodynamic lubrication of oil bearings. It was shown that the relative journal trajectories and absolute bush trajectories carry much important information about the dynamic state of the machine, indicating also the way in which bearings are loaded. Therefore, trajectories can be a source of information about the position and direction of bearing misalignments. This article indicates the potential of using trajectory patterns for diagnosing misalignment defects in rotating machines and suggests including sets of trajectory patterns to the knowledge base of a machine diagnostic system.     

Rotordynamic Characteristics of Flexure-Pivot Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings

Many of today's modern turbomachines, especially those running at high speeds and high power ratings, require the superior stability characteristics of tilting-pad journal bearings to prevent rotor-dynamic instabilities. Until now, the design complexity of tilting-pad bearings has precluded their use in many small, high-volume applications where cost and size are important. This paper introduces a new one-piece journal bearing design, the flexure-pivot bearing, that offers many of the beneficial rotodynamic advantages of tilting-pad bearings, without the complexities of a multi-piece design. Performance data for a flexure-pivot bearing is shown for an application requiring a highly stable design, illustrating the effectiveness of the flexure-pivot bearing in offering rotordynamic stability approaching that of a tilting-pad bearing.     

Effect of Rolling Bearing Refurbishment and Restoration on Bearing Life and Reliability

For nearly four decades it has been a practice in commercial and military aircraft application that rolling-element bearings removed at maintenance or overhaul be reworked and returned to service. The work presented extends previously reported bearing life analysis to consider the depth (Z₄₅) to maximum shear stress (τ₄₅) on stressed volume removal and the effect of replacing the rolling elements with a new set. A simple algebraic relationship was established to determine the L₁₀ life of bearing races subject to bearing rework. Depending on the extent of rework and based on theoretical analysis, representative life factors for bearings subject to rework ranged from 0.87 to 0.99% of the lives of new bearings. Based on bearing endurance data, 92% of the bearing sets that would be subject to rework would result in L₁₀ lives equaling and/or exceeding that predicted for new bearings, with the remaining 8% having the potential to achieve the analytically predicted life of new bearings when one of the rings is replaced at rework. The potential savings from bearing rework varies from 53 to 82% that of new bearings depending on the cost, size, and complexity of the bearing.     

双跨转子轴承系统耦合实验研究

在多功能转子实验台上，对具有双跨度、三个圆柱滑动轴承支撑的多圆盘弹性转子轴承系统不同位置的振动信号进行分析。通过对位移信号的快速FFT变换，分析了系统振动信号的基本特征，研究了双侧转子对中间轴颈振动的影响；用信号能量和信号功率指标分析了转子弹性能的分布。结果表明：中间轴承相对于系统承受最大的振动模值，同时该轴颈的振动信号包容了系统振动的所有信息，反映了双跨间耦合对中间轴承的作用；振动信号的能量和功率指标验证了上述结论。     

The Role of Radial Clearance on the Performance of Foil Air Bearings

Load capacity tests were conducted to determine how radial clearance variations affect the load capacity coefficient of foil air bearings. Two Generation III foil air bearings with the same design but possessing different initial radial clearances were tested at room temperature against an as-ground PS304 coated journal operating at 30000 rpm. Increases in radial clearance were accomplished by reducing the journal's outside diameter via an in-place grinding system. From each load capacity test the bearing load capacity coefficient was calculated from the rule-of-thumb (ROT) model developed for foil air bearings.

The test results indicate that, in terms of the load capacity coefficient, radial clearance has a direct impact on the performance of the foil air bearing. Each test bearing exhibited an optimum radial clearance that resulted in a maximum load capacity coefficient. Relative to this optimum value are two separate operating regimes that are governed by different modes of failure. Bearings operating with radial clearances less than the optimum exhibit load capacity coefficients that are a strong function of radial clearance and are prone to a thermal runaway failure mechanism and bearing seizure. Conversely, a bearing operating with a radial clearance twice the optimum suffered only a 20% decline in its maximum load capacity coefficient and did not experience any thermal management problems. However, it is unknown to what degree these changes in radial clearance had on other performance parameters, such as the stiffness and damping properties of the bearings.     

气体静压多孔质止推轴承静态特性的理论发展

多孔质材料被用来作空气静压轴承的节流器在过去已经广为报道了。多孔质材料节流器化传统的了流器具有一些显的优点,如设计和制造简单,很高的承载能力和刚度,更优越的尼特性以及体成。甚至更加复杂的几何结构如球轴承,空气静压丝杠也能够很容易获得,到目前为止,止推轴承尤其是圆板状的止推轴承是进行理论分析的最简化的几何模型,同时也是报道最多的。本首先介绍多孔质空气静压轴承的理论,接着着重介绍多孔质止推轴承的理论发展,最后,作讨论了关于多孔质介质的进一步研究的方向。     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of a variable- impedance hydrodynamic bearing

The aim of the work described in this paper is to develop a hydrodynamic bearing whose oil film dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients could be tuned to take on low values, without upsetting the bearing steady load carrying capacity, in order to obtain an improved dynamic response for machines running in such bearings. It was required that this tuning of the bearing dynamic characteristics could be carried out after assembly of the machine in question, and if necessary while the machine was in operation.A theoretical analysis of the new design of bearing was carried out, based on a finite-difference model of the bearing oil film. This analysis enabled the steady-state load carrying capacity of the bearing to be calculated for any particular running conditions. The oil film stiffness and damping characteristics were then calculated using the finite-displacement technique; these were then used to calculate the unbalance response of a flexible rotor running in such bearings. Experimental measurements of the unbalance response of a model rotor running in the new bearing design were also recorded, and compared with similar measurements obtained when conventional bearings were used.Both theoretical and experimental results show that the proposed new bearing design has a similar steady load carrying capacity to that of conventional hydrodynamic bearings, but that the unbalanced response and force transmissibility of machines running in the new design of bearing are substantially superior to that obtained with conventional bearings.     

评价箔片径向空气轴承载荷性能的一种经验方法

介绍一种简单的“经验法则”来评价箔片空气轴承的载荷性能,它是一种可挠面的动压气体轴承,正在研究其在无油透平机械中的应用。经验法则是基于基本原理和文献中报道的可靠实验数据得出的,通过一个经验值——载荷系数D,将轴承的载荷性能和轴承的尺寸、速度联系起来。在经验法则中,轴承承载力是轴承转速和轴承设计面积的线性函数。轴承载荷系数D和轴承弹性支承结构的设计特点和轴承运行工况(温度、速度)有关。     

超声波铁路车辆滑滚轴承识别装置的研究

本文提出一种铁路车辆滑动和滚动轴承的超声波测距识别方法,介绍了其实验系统的硬、软件设计。该方法解决了“第一代红外线轴温探测器”因不能准确判别轴承类型而造成的车辆热轴故障,为两种轴承热信号的分别处理提供了依据。     

Effect of Silicon Nitride Balls and Rollers on Rolling Bearing Life

Three decades have passed since the introduction of silicon nitride rollers and balls into conventional rolling-element bearings. For a given applied load, the contact (Hertz) stress in a hybrid bearing will be higher than that of an all-steel rolling element bearing. The silicon nitride rolling-element life as well as the lives of the steel races were used to determine the resultant bearing life of both hybrid and all-steel bearings. Life factors were determined and reported for hybrid bearings. Under nominal operating speeds, the resultant calculated lives of the deep-groove, angular-contact, and cylindrical roller hybrid bearings with races made of post-1960 bearing steel increased by factors of 3.7, 3.2, and 5.5, respectively, from those calculated using the Lundberg-Palmgren equations. An all-steel bearing under the same load will have a longer life than the equivalent hybrid bearing under the same conditions. Under these conditions, hybrid bearings are predicted to have a lower fatigue life than all-steel bearings by 58% for deep-groove bearings, 41% for angular contact bearings, and 28% for cylindrical roller bearings.     

Experimental Investigation of Friction and Electrical Characteristics of the Porous Bearings with Axial Grooves for Laser Scanner

The electrical and frictional properties of axially grooved oil-impregnated sintered-metal bearing (porous metal bearing) with varying loads and speeds were measured. The results were compared with the performance of bearings without grooves and conventionally used ball bearings. The test results showed that the frictional values of the porous bearings were lower than those of ungrooved bearings and ball bearings, and that the porous bearings operated in a full-hydrodynamic lubrication regime. The values of rating current, starting time and jitter revealed that the grooved-bearing had better electrical characteristics than the ungrooved bearing as well as the ball bearing. From the endurance tests on start-stop and continuous operating, it was confirmed that this bearing could be mass-produced for use in a laser scanner unit.     

SPF复合自润滑轴承的设计与性能研究

讨论了用于自润滑系统中一种新型滑动轴承的设计与性能,较好地解决了自润滑轴承的材料选择,复合方式,多孔层的结构和自润滑层成分设计等问题。采用新设计可有效地提高自润滑轴承的承载能力、极限pv值、耐磨性和高温使用寿命。试验结果表明SPF复合自润滑滑动轴承的某些性能已超过DU轴承。     

Tribological study of elastomeric bearings for marine propeller shaft system

Elastomeric compounds, due to their favourable properties like sufficient hardness, toughness and natural resistance to abrasion and corrosion, are commonly used as bearing material for propeller shaft system of Indian Coast Guard Ships. Recently unequal and non-uniform wear of these bearings has resulted in unscheduled lay off of the Coast Guard Ships. To solve this problem of bearing wear, a mixed lubrication analysis of sea-water lubricated journal bearing has been attempted in the present study. A computer code was written to estimate lubricating film thickness for a given set of load and speed condition, and to predict the lubrication regime for the specified surface roughness parameters. To validate the theoretical analysis performed in the present study, the results obtained from the computer simulation have been compared with the established studies on the water lubricated bearing.To understand the uneven wear of marine bearings, actual geometric clearances of new and worn out bearings recorded by the ship maintenance team, and the operational data (load, speed and operating hours), obtained from the log books of ICGS Sangram (AOPV) of Indian Coast Guard, are listed in the present paper. The dynamic viscosity of sea water, surface roughness of propeller shaft and bearings, and particulate contamination has been measured. Finally, the suggestions have been enlisted for proper operation of shaft-bearing system so as to maintain the wear within the permissible limits during ship's operational cycle.     

A Study of Non-Recessed Hybrid Flexible Journal Bearing With Different Restrictors

For bearings operating under heavy loads, the elastic deformation of bearing surface induced by fluid film pressures can no longer be neglected as it is comparable to the order of magnitude of fluid film thickness. In the present work a theoretical study describing comparative performance of non-recessed hybrid journal bearing using different flow control devices has been carried out by considering bearing shell flexibility into the analysis. The relevant governing equations have been solved using finite element method. The comparative performance of non-recessed hybrid journal bearings of two separate configurations have been studied for various values of bearing flexibility parameter (([Cbar]_d)). The results have been presented for hole-entry type journal bearings compensated by capillary, orifice and constant flow valve restrictors and for a slot-entry type journal bearing, for the same set of values of operating and geometric parameters. The computed results indicates that in order to get an improved performance of non-recessed journal bearing, a proper selection of bearing flexibility parameter (([Cbar]_d)) along with type of flow control device (i.e., capillary, orifice, constant flow valve, slot etc.) and type of bearing configuration (symmetric/asymmetric) are essential.     

Effect of Bearing Surroundings on the High-Speed Spindle-Bearing Compliance

This paper investigates the effect of bearing assembly tolerance on spindle-bearing compliance. In a high-speed spindle system, the bearing characteristics are influenced significantly by the initial assembly tolerances and the thermal deformation of the bearing surroundings. In the very early stage of spindle operation, spindle bearings could be under hazardous conditions owing to the rapid change of the internal pressure resulting from thermal deformation or centrifugal force-oriented deformation. The bearing’s internal clearance also may be changed by the operating conditions such as external load, rotational speed, and operating cycle time. To determine the initial tolerance and the optimal cooling regimen, a comprehensive dynamic modelling and analysis of a high-speed spindle system in terms of bearing pressure, bearing compliance, and heat generation is required with consideration of those effects. Moreover, in order to predict spindle characteristics in operation, all of these parameters should be monitored and recalculated in real-time. For this purpose, very simple and effective equations are suggested, representing the bearing stiffness in accordance with the thermal deformation. Most former bearing analyses were based on the Hertzian contact model, without considering the radial elastic defor-mation of the races. In this paper, analytical and experimental investigations of the bearing compliance are conducted with consideration of both the elastic deformation of the race and the thermal deformation of the housing in terms of the bearing stiffness. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed equations, which are simple and useful for fast calculation of the bearing stiffness by dynamic simulation.     

Stability Analysis of Floating Ball Bearing

Conventional disk drive motors supported on ball bearings (BBs) cause nonrepeatable runout (NRRO) due to the surface imperfections on balls and raceways. NRRO is a source of track misregistration between head and disk that inhibits high track density in a hard disk drive. Fluid dynamic bearings with herringbone grooves either on the rotating or stationary surfaces are a suitable replacement for conventional ball bearings. Herringbone grooved bearings have considerably lower noise level than ball bearings and have better stability compared to plain journal bearings at concentric operating position. However, herringbone-grooved patterns are difficult to manufacture because groove depth is of the order of bearing clearance. The major limitation of the BBs is the direct contact between the rotating and stationary parts and also lack of damping effects. This present work attempts to overcome these drawbacks in BBs by eliminating the metal-to-metal contact using a layer of fluid film, and a theoretical analysis of stability characteristics of a floating BB is presented. Results indicate that there is an improvement in the stability of floating BB rotor systems with increase in outer to inner film clearance ratio (β) from 0.7 to 1.3, and with decrease in ratio of outer race radius to inner race radius (δ) from 3.0 to 1.2.     

Dynamic Characteristics and Stability Analysis of a Wavy Thrust Bearing

A numerical procedure to analyze wavy thrust bearings is described. The numerical model is developed by assuming that two circular plates rotate relative to each other. The upper plate is assumed to be flat and rotating, whereas the lower plate is assumed to be stationary and wavy in surface geometry. A Reynolds-equation-based procedure is used to simulate the dynamics engendered by various wavy geometries and loading conditions. The equilibrium position of the journal results from the equilibrium between the forces generated by the fluid-film pressures and the externally applied loads. A numerical small perturbation technique is applied to calculate the linear stiffness and damping characteristics of the bearing at the equilibrium position. Using a three-degrees-of-freedom system with one axial and two rotational displacements, nine linear stiffness coefficients (three principal and six cross-coupled coefficients) and nine linear damping coefficients are calculated. These linear coefficients are then used to calculate the eigenvalues of the system by solving the homogeneous equations of motion. The stability of the bearing system is then expressed using the lowest logarithmic decrement obtained from these eigenvalues. Using this procedure, a parametric study is carried out to examine the effects of external load, location of the applied load, bearing number, and bearing wave amplitude on journal equilibrium position, bearing linear stiffness, damping characteristics, and bearing stability.     

磁力轴承参数化结构设计研究

根据磁力轴承结构特点,分析了各部分零件模型之间的尺寸参数传递,研究了磁力轴承参数化结构设计方法,进而在SolidWorks平台上以Visual C 为工具实现了磁力轴承参数化结构设计,为磁力轴承设计分析软件系统提供了结构部分的解决方案.     

An Experimental Comparison of Two Steadily Loaded Plain Journal Bearings

A potentially powerful effect on the characteristics of plain journal bearings is local thermal deformation of the bearing surface. Although there are a few analyses that consider the effect, it is ignored by most journal bearing codes used by industry. There is also almost no experimental data in the literature that focuses on this effect. To generate such data, two identical, 101 mm dia., 57 mm long bearings—one fabricated from steel and one from bronze—have been tested in a precision journal bearing test rig. Comparisons between shaft displacement data for steady loading of the two bearings show that the deformations are important to consider.