THERMOHYDRODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF FLUID FILM BEARINGS FOR CRYOGENIC APPLICATIONS

A thermohydrodynamic analysis and computer program for prediction of t he static and dynamic force response of hydrostatic journal bearings, annular seals, or damping bearings, and fixed are-pad bearings are pre sented. The study includes the most important dow characteristics foun d in cryogenic fluid firm bearings such as flow turbulence, fluid iner tia, liquid compressibility, and thermal effects. Numerical results de tail a comparison of the static performance and dynamic force coeffici ents for a six-recess hydrostatic bearing and a damping bearing-seal f or the Space Shuttle Main Engine high-pressure oxidizer turbopump. The calculations indicate that turbulent-flow, externally pressurized bea rings support the expected loads with moderate journal center eccentri cities and with force coefficients of relevant magnitude for this crit ical application.