Peiji Yang, Qi Yuan and Runlin Chen
The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of high-temperature inlet oil on the comprehensive performance of tilting-pad bearing.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of high-temperature inlet oil on the comprehensive performance of tilting-pad bearing.
Design/methodology/approach
Taking a tilting-pad bearing under high temperature of inlet oil in a natural gas compressor as an example, the experimental system was developed for the tilting-pad bearing applied in a real machine, and the experiment was performed. The bearing lubricating properties under different high temperatures of inlet oil were obtained, including oil film thickness on the pivot, temperature rise and the shaft vibration values at the bearing positions.
Findings
The experimental results showed that the vibration, the oil film thickness on the pivot and the pad temperature were not sensitive to the change in temperature of the inlet oil, but vibrations were observed under the specific speed. At the same speed, when oil temperature changed by 1°C, the bearing temperature rise did not exceed 0.2°C and change in oil film thickness on the pivot was 1 µm. The test results of the actual unit are in good agreement with the experimental results.
Originality/value
The vibration measurement scheme was presented, and an indirect measurement method of fulcrum thickness was proposed. The practicability of the measurement method and the accuracy of test results were verified by the comparison of the test results of the shaft vibration, the bearing pad temperature, the fulcrum oil film thickness and the theoretical calculation results. This study will provide an important reference for designing a tilting-pad bearing with high-temperature inlet oil.
Details
Keywords
Runlin Chen, Jianlei Wang, XiaoYang Yuan, Longlong Li and Yahui Cui
To meet the high stiffness requirement of bearings used in high-precision spindles, this paper aims to propose a novel kind of bearing composited by hydrostatic cavities and…
Abstract
Purpose
To meet the high stiffness requirement of bearings used in high-precision spindles, this paper aims to propose a novel kind of bearing composited by hydrostatic cavities and tilting pads with preload.
Design/methodology/approach
Cavities are cut on the oil seal surface of a hybrid bearing, in which the tilting pads are set up. The load of the bearing is carried by the hydrostatic cavities and tilting pads. The structural features of this compound bearing and the controlling variables of the main stiffness coefficient are presented. Two basic design principles are proposed on the basis of equal machining clearance (EMC) and equal installation clearance (EIC).
Findings
The theoretical analysis indicates that the stiffness of compound bearings under the EMC condition increases to infinity monotonously when the preload coefficient of the tilting pad tends to 1, while the stiffness under the EIC condition has a peak value. Therefore, a synthetic design principle is proposed by synthetically using the above-mentioned two principles. The applicable range of the three principles is discussed through an example.
Originality/value
The study about technological combination of hydrostatic cavity and tilting pad in this paper can provide suggestions for the design of a high-stiffness bearing in a precision spindle.