Modeling lubricant flow between thrust-bearing pads

Inlet temperature is one of the main inputs in all models for the analysis of fluid film bearing performance. At the same time, inlet temperature distribution and also oil velocity distribution at the inlet are the result of flow phenomena in the gap between the bearing pads. These phenomena are complex and in many cases further affected by any special arrangements of forced oil supply to the gap between pads. The reason for such arrangements is the more efficient introduction of externally cooled lubricant. Not many details are known about any flow phenomena in the gap between the pads and even less if the bearing is fitted with any kind of directed lubrication system. Contemporary tools of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) enable one to study the flow between bearing pads and even to build models of a whole hydrodynamic bearing. Preliminary results of modeling lubricant flow in the gap, in a bearing with a direct oil supply system will be presented in this paper. The effects of modified inlet oil temperature on some aspects of bearing performance are also presented.