Advanced Numerical Models for Design and Optimization of Thrust Bearing Hydrodynamic Characteristics

Abstract

Efficiency of hydrodynamic thrust bearings used in a wide range of power machines is characterized by including the load capacity of an oil wedge, which has nonlinear dependence on gap size. In this study we consider the different types of lubricant layer microgeometry profiling with the aim of optimal design of the hydrodynamic bearing characteristics for ensuring the maximum load capacity using advanced numerical models and methods. We enlarge the results of significant research works of J.W. Rayleigh and S. Y. Maday in relation to the hydrodynamic sector self-aligning acting thrust bearings based on advanced numerical methods. Different geometrical parameters which define profile curvature were used as optimization variables. The maximum of pressure integral over the lubricant layer surface as objective function was used. Hydrodynamic problems using Navier-Stocks equations were solved based on numerical approach and commercial CFD code ANSYS/CFX using the St.Petersburg Polytechnic Supercomputer Center.

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