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The design and development of a high-speed test facility and the measurement of the fluid film characteristics of journal bearings

In the theoretical analysis of high speed rotor bearing systems, it is common to use four displacement and four velocity based coefficients, which characterise the behaviour of the lubricating fluid film. Although a great deal of work has been published establishing theoretical models of all types of hydrodynamic journal bearings, the large amount of experimental work has centred on relatively low speed conditions. This work presents a contribution to the experimental study of the static and dynamic characteristics of oil films in journal bearings used in high-speed rotating machinery. The main objectives of the work are: • To devise new experimental techniques for the measurement of dynamic coefficients suitable for use at high rotational speeds • To design, manufacture, assemble and commission a test facility to measure the static and dynamic characteristics of journal bearings at speeds up to 30000 rpm • To determine the static and dynamic characteristics of a 5 Pad Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Unit of 80 mm diameter at speeds up to 25 000 rpm using the said test facility. New techniques are particularly necessary for the measurement of velocity coefficients because these invoke the necessity of imposing a velocity on to the bearing housing and previous techniques have utilised synchronous motion of the bearing. Consequently a new experimental procedure for measuring the four velocity or damping coefficients of an oil film journal bearing from imposed dynamic "orbits" has been devised called the "double pulse" technique. All four velocity coefficients are derived from one imposed journal centre dynamic orbit and, therefore may be regarded as being obtained at the same time. The method requires the production of a "cross- over" point similar to that of a "figure of eight" shaped orbit and utilises the "cross-over" point therein. Coefficients are initially evaluated in a co-ordinate system, which is chosen to align with the designated parts of the measured orbit. Each coefficient is then evaluated from single values of instantaneous imposed force and resulting journal centre velocity. Coefficients are them converted into any other desired axes system. The result is a simpler experimental procedure, with reduced uncertainty compared to hitherto existing methods. The use of non-sinusoidal excitation of the oil film was explored, in the form of applying a step-pulse train load pattern to produce a cross-over pattern in the journal displacement ·orbit'. Experimental tests were completed on a tilting pad bearing at speeds up to 15 000 rpm inclusive. At speeds above this, the bearing exhibited a vibrational response, which precluded the accurate measurement of journal centre displacement.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:341084
Date January 1998
CreatorsRowan, D.
ContributorsParkins, D. W.
PublisherCranfield University
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Sourcehttp://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/11357

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