Dynamic performance evaluation of hydrodynamic tapered-land thrust bearing

The research presented here investigates performance of a fixed-geometry hydrodynamic thrust bearing subject to dynamic loading conditions. Static loading conditions of thrust bearings have been widely documented. However, the behavior of thrust bearings under dynamic loads has been rarely documented. The study presents experimental findings for a hydrodynamic tapered-land thrust bearing subjected to dynamic loading. To facilitate this research, a specialized experimental test rig was designed and fabricated. An aluminum hydrodynamic thrust bearing with a taper depth of 0.0508 mm was tested. Film pressure at leading, middle, and trailing location on the bearing pads, as well as minimum film thickness and temperature data were recorded and are presented in this study. The results show decreasing film pressures with increasing frequency of the applied load during all tests. As one of the cases presented, the 0.270 MPa peak specific load test at 1500 RPM, resulted in the leading, middle, and trailing pressures decreasing by approximately 59.4%, 74.6%, and 57%, respectively from 2 Hz to 10 Hz load frequency. Furthermore, as the frequency of dynamic loading increased, the minimum oil film thickness exhibited an upward trend. A 71.3%, 72.5%, and 67.8% increase in oil film thickness for peak specific load tests at 0.270, 0.451, and 0.631 MPa, respectively, at 1500 RPM between the 2 Hz and 10 Hz loading frequencies, were observed. These findings provide valuable insights into the performance characteristics of hydrodynamic thrust bearings when subjected to dynamic loads and can assist in design considerations of hydrodynamic thrust bearings.