MEASUREMENTS OF STATIC LOADING VERSUS ECCENTRICITY IN A FLEXURE-PIVOTTILTING-PAD JOURNAL BEARING

An experimental investigation examining the static loading characteris tics of a four-pad, flexure-pivot tilting pad bearing is presented. Te sts are conducted on a Fluid Film Bearing Element Test Rig for journal speeds ranging from 1800 to 4500 rpm, and applied static loads betwee n pads to 1400 N. Results obtained from measurements of bearing eccent ricities and bearing pad temperatures were compared to numerical predi ctions. Bearing power losses were also estimated using a simple therma l model for the bearing assembly. Comparisons between theory and exper imental results indicate good correlation for measured eccentricities over the tested range of applied static loads and journal speeds. Negl igible displacements in the direction orthogonal to the applied load v erified the expected behavior of the test bearing over the range of op erating conditions. Thermal analysis of the earing system lead to good prediction of the bearing power losses, and indicated that the majori ty of the mechanical energy is transferred via convection.