Thermohydrodynamic Performance of Thrust Bearings With Circular Tilted Pads Under the Presence of Air Gas Bubbles and Centrifugal Forces

This paper deals with the analysis of thrust bearings with tilted circular pads running under thermohydrodynamic conditions. During operation, a considerable quantity of air/gas bubbles is dispersed inside the lubricating oil and build a compressible medium. The important lubricant properties, namely viscosity and density are altered substantially due to bubble presence as well as temperature rise. The influence of the centrifugal forces become significant as the speed and load become higher. Such type of bearings has been herein investigated taking into account both influencing phenomena. The geometric and loading parameters are varied to show the combined effect on the bearing characteristic values. The governing equations of the THD theory are solved numerically using the finite difference method. The surface tension of bubbles and the change of bubble content with temperature and pressure are included in the governing equations as are the centrifugal forces.