THERMOELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF FIXED GEOMETRY THRUST-BEARINGS INCLUDING RUNNER DEFORMATION

A thermoelastohydrodynamic theory for the analysis of sector thrust be arings is presented. The analysis includes the generalized Reynolds eq uation and a fully elliptic three-dimensional energy equation in the f ilm. In addition, full three-dimensional heat transfer is allowed in t he pad while axisymmetric conduction is allowed in the runner. Three-d imensional elastic deformation due to mechanical and thermal loading i s allowed in the pad while axisymmetric mechanical elasticity is allow ed in the runner. The performance of a parallel tapered-land thrust be aring including runner deformation effects is analyzed as a function o f different models. It is seen that mechanical deformation of the pad affects the operating characteristics only slightly while thermal defo rmation of the pad can cause large increases in operating temperature. The runner deformation effects can include a reduction of the maximum film temperature at slight deformation or a large increase in film te mperature at the inner radius of the pad at larger deformations.