Influence of floating ring elastic deformation on ring equilibrium and minimum film thickness for a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic floating ring bearing
Industrial Lubrication and Tribology
ISSN: 0036-8792
Article publication date: 16 November 2023
Issue publication date: 22 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The floating ring generates elastic deformation as the film pressure for high-speed floating ring bearings (FRBs). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of ring elastic deformation on the performance of a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic FRB, including floating ring equilibrium and minimum film thickness.
Design/methodology/approach
The finite element method and finite difference method are used to solve thermohydrodynamic (THD) lubrication models, including the Reynolds equation, energy equation and temperature–viscosity equation. The deformation matrix method is applied to solve the elastic deformation equation, and then the deformation distribution, floating ring equilibrium and minimum film thickness are investigated. The maximum pressure is compared with the published article to verify the mathematical models.
Findings
The deformation value increases with the growth of shaft speed; owing to elastic deformation on the film reaction force and friction moment, the ring achieves equilibrium at a new position, and the inner eccentricity increases while the ring-shaft speed ratio declines. The minimum film thickness declines with the growth of inlet temperature, and the outer film tends to rupture considering elastic deformation at a higher temperature.
Originality/value
The floating ring elastic deformation is coupled with the THD lubrication equations to study ring deformation on the hydrodynamic/hydrostatic FRB lubrication mechanism. The elastic deformation of floating ring should be considered to improve analysis accuracy for FRBs.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-05-2023-0139/
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is supported by Key Project of the Education Department of Henan Province (No. 23A460005), Science and Technology Plan Project of Henan Province (No. 232102220036).
Citation
Yang, S., Hou, J., An, X. and Xi, S. (2023), "Influence of floating ring elastic deformation on ring equilibrium and minimum film thickness for a hydrodynamic/hydrostatic floating ring bearing", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 75 No. 10, pp. 1178-1187. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-05-2023-0139
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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