Thermoelastohydrodynamic analysis of tilting pad journal bearing - Theory and experiments

Thermal and elastic effects play a very important role in lubrication of ti lting pad journal bearings. This paper presents both theoretical and experi mental analysis of tilting pad journal bearing. Theoretical analysis includ es the simultaneous solution of Reynolds equation, energy equation and defo rmation equation. The computer code has been developed based on FEM which w ill work for large number of pads. Experimental study has been carried out on a four-pad tilting pad journal bearing, load between pad configuration a nd load on pad configurations with the rotational speed varied from 500-400 0 rpm. Twelve thermocouples are used to measure pad temperatures. Coastdown time analysis results are presented in the form of Stribeck diagram of fri ction and compared with theoretical ones. Theoretical results are presented for steady-state and dynamic-state conditions of a four-pad tilting pad jo urnal bearing.