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Abstract

The present work regards the first stage of a research activity aimed at the understanding of the phenomena involved in the working of thrust bearing tilting pads. Three pads of the same shape and dimensions with different pivot positions have been studied. An experimental investigation is carried out on the pads using a particularly versatile test rig. Simultaneous measurements of film thickness, pad tilt and frictional force are made; in particular the tilt angle is measured by optical interferometry with monochromatic light. Experimental results are compared with numerical data. A finite element method code is used to calculate the pressure field of the finite thrust pad. For a given pivot film thickness an iterative procedure yields the tilt angle using the condition of zero moment about the pivot. First results indicate the way to future investigations.

Keywords

tilting pads hydrodynamic thrust bearings experimental apparatus optical interferometry finite element method (FEM)

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An investigation on thrust bearing tilting pads

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