Numerical Analysis of Tilting Pad Thrust Bearing

Abstract

Tilted pad thrust bearings are used in various rotating machinery that has to withstand high thrust loading. The thrust load is transferred from a sliding part to a stationary tilted part through hydrodynamic oil films. The pressure developed in the lubricant between the sliding surface and the tilted pad counteracts the external load applied to the sliding surface and thus prevents contact between the two surfaces. The present work studies hydrodynamic interaction between the sliding surface and tilted pad for a typical thrust bearing. Numerical analysis was conducted using COMSOL Multi-physics for symmetric boundary conditions, where elastic deformation along the thrust pad is neglected. Variation in pressure concerning different angular velocities is estimated. The effect of load on lubricant pressure developed and fluid film h eight is also studied. The results obtained are comparable with the analytical solutions available in the literature.