Research of heat transfer processes in motor-axial bearings of traction electric motors of diesel locomotives

Original calculation schemes of the motor-axle bearing and the distribution of heat flows in the process of heat removal from the surface layer of lubricant to the axle journal of the wheel pair and to the motor-axle bearing liner are proposed, taking into account its middle layer. In order to substantiate the maximum amount of heat released in the motor-axle bearings of a freight diesel locomotive of the 2TE10 series and caused by the action of friction forces in the zone of contact their with the journals of the axles of the wheel pairs, taking into account the theoretical foundations of heat transfer and the accepted assumptions in the specified calculation schemes, analytical dependencies were obtained to determine the quantities characterizing heat removal from the mentioned motor-axial bearings using three flows. As a result of implementing the proposed analytical dependencies and performing numerical calculations, it was proved that the operation of the studied motor-axial bearings is carried out in the semi-fluid friction mode and at negative temperatures of the external (atmospheric) air, their normal operation is not ensured due to the low proportion of heat removal by the lubricant, which does not exceed 1.5 percent, and therefore, this leads motor-axial bearings to premature wear and failure, and thereby reduces the operational reliability of the wheel-motor unit of diesel locomotives.