• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
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• 1998.04a
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• pp.235-240
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• 1998

The inlet pressure build-up at the leading edge of bearings and its effects on the static performances are investigated theoretically. The performance analyses of air-lubricated tilting pad bearings are carried out considering the inlet pressure which is obtained by means of momentum conservation method. The results show that inlet pressure is above atmosphere pressure in front of leading edge of tilting pad bearing and there is a significant influence of the inlet pressure on the performance of bearings.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.160-165
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• 1998

A theoretical analysis has been undertaken to show the influence of bearing geometry on the steady state characteristics of air lubricated spherical tilting pad bearings. The geometry variations considered are the number of pads, the eccentricity ratio, the direction of load, and the preloading.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.1016-1021
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• 2004

The need for developing a mathematical model for pad-pivot friction in tilting pad proceeding bearings has been well-recognized, since previous experimental work about the performances of the bearings hypothesized that the friction in the bearings is closely related to their performances. Especially, the sliding friction between pad and pivot in the ball and socket type of the bearings can influence the performance of the bearing. We propose a mathematical model for pad-pivot friction in the ball and socket type, which considers the geometrics of the pad and pivot of the bearings, by assuming the sliding friction in the ball and socket bearing as Coulomb friction. By utilizing the proposed model for pad-pivot friction, we show the analysis of Reynolds equation and energy equation, which explain the thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of tilting pad proceeding bearings, by taking into account the turbulence and inlet pressure building as well. The results of the study show that the performance of titling-pad proceeding bearings can be greatly influenced by the pad-pivot friction. In particular, we have shown that the analysis of the pad-pivot friction is useful to explain the static proceeding loci and the dynamic characteristics of the ball and socket type of the bearings. Furthermore, for a given operating condition, we can obtain various equilibrium states which satisfy the static equilibrium conditions, by considering the pad-pivot friction.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.265-271
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• 2012

In the preceding Part I study, for improving the unbalance response vibration of a large PRT motor-generator rotor fundamentally by design, a series of design analyses were carried out for bearing improvement by retrofitting from original plain partial journal bearings, applied for operation at a rated speed of 1,800 rpm, to final tilting pad journal bearings. To satisfy evenly key basic lubrication performances such as the minimum lift-off speed and maximum oil-film temperature, a design solution of 5-pad tilting pad journal bearings and maximizing the direct stiffness by about two times has been achieved. In this Part II study, a detailed rotordynamic analysis of the large PRT motor-generator rotor-bearing system will be performed, applying both the original plain partial journal bearings and the retrofitted tilting pad journal bearings, to confirm the effect of rotordynamic vibration improvement after retrofitting. The results show that the rotor unbalance response vibrations with the tilting pad journal bearings are greatly reduced by as much as about one ninth of those with the plain partial journal bearings. In addition, for the tilting pad journal bearings there exist no critical speed up to the rated speed and just one instance of a concerned critical speed around the rated speed, whereas for the plain partial journal bearings there exist one instance of a critical speed up to the rated speed and two instances of concerned critical speeds around the rated speed.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.116-123
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• 2001

A theoretical analysis has been undertaken to show the influence of bearing geometry on the steady state characteristics of air lubricated spherical tilting pad bearings. The geometry variations considered are the number of pads, the eccentricity ratio, the direction of load, and the preloading. Dynamic characteristic equations are derived with pad assembly method.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.268-272
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• 2023

This study explores the characteristics of tilting pad journal bearings used in the high-speed rotating shaft systems of centrifugal compressors. A centrifugal compressor is a high-speed rotating machine that is widely used to compress gases or vapors employed in various industrial applications. It transfers the centrifugal force of a fast-spinning impeller to the fluid and compresses it under high pressure. Many high-speed rotating shaft systems, which require high stability, use tilting pad journal bearings. The characteristics of these bearings can vary depending on several properties, and identifying the appropriate characteristics is essential to optimize the design on a case-to-case basis. In this study, the authors perform a time-dependent analysis of the properties of tilting pad journal bearings and the rotordynamics of the rotating shaft system using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Specifically, the authors analyze the characteristics of the tilting pad journal bearings by performing a parametric sweep using parameters such as pad clearance, maximum tilting angle, preload, number of pads, and pad pivot offset. The authors then use the results of the bearing-characteristics analysis to evaluate the vibration of the rotating shaft and verify its operation within a desirable range. The understanding gained from this study will allow us to determine the optimal properties of these bearings and the limiting operational speed using COMSOL Multiphysics software.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 1989

The influences of ram pressure on the performances of tilting-pad journal bearings are investigated experimentally. The test rig consists of a single tilting-pad and a rotating journal. Film thicknesses and pressure distribution of the lubricating film are measured continuously for several values of coordinate of the pivot position and journal speed. The findings of the investigation are as follows: (]) According as the journal speed increases the ram pressure increases, maximum pressure decreases and the pivot position which maximize the minimum film thickness shifts toward the leading edge. (2) The ram pressure makes it possible to generate the converging wedge and the positive pressure between the pad and the journal even when the pad is supported at the points between the leading edge and the center of the pad. (3) The influence of the ram pressure on the performance of tilting pad bearings is significant and must be considered in the design of these bearings.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.330-336
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• 2004

In this paper, thermohydrodynamic characteristics of large tilting pad journal bearings which have $3\~8$ tilting pads were numerically analyzed. The turbulent lubrication equation and the energy equation were solved. The regime of operation of this bearing is laminar, turbulent and transitional. Also viscosity of working fluid was considered as function of only temperature and inlet pressure build-up was considered. Numerical results for a large tilting pad journal bearing showed pressure distribution, temperature distribution, eccentricity ratio, and friction torque. The effects of pad number on the static performances of a large tilting pad journal bearing are discussed.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.9 no.5 s.38
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• pp.7-13
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• 2006

In the present study, we develop an analysis module to be applicable to design of sliding thrust bearings. The pressure equation is solved by using the finite element method. Average lubricant temperature is obtained from using the energy balance method. The module developed has been applied to three types of thrust bearing, such as tapered-land thrust bearings of angular and diamond types, and tilting-pad thrust bearings. Effects of the dam of the tapered-lad thrust bearings have also been investigated. It has been seen that the tapered-land thrust bearings of angular type result in the highest load capacity, while the tilting pad thrust bearings result in the lowest lubricant temperature. It has also been seen that the dam in the tapered-land thrust bearings increases both the load capacity and lubricant temperature.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.197-202
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• 2012

In this study, with the purpose of fundamentally improving the unbalance response vibration of a large PRT motor-generator rotor by design, a performance improvement design analysis is carried-out by retrofitting tilting pad bearings, replacing the plain partial journal bearings that were originally applied for operation at a rated speed of 1,800 rpm. In this process, a goal of the design analysis is to obtain a design solution for maximizing the direct stiffness of the bearings while satisfying the key basic lubrication performance requirements such as the minimum lift-off speed and maximum oil-film temperature. The results show that with a careful design application of tilting pad journal bearings for operation at such a relatively low speed of 1,800 rpm, direct stiffness increment of the bearings by about two times can be effectively achieved. Prevention of pad unloading is also considered in the analysis. Moreover, the designs of elliptical and offset half journal bearings are also analyzed and reviewed.