• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2014

Recent studies emphasize the importance of pivot stiffness in the analysis of tilting pad bearings (TPBs). The present paper develops a finite element model of the pad pivot and compares the predicted pivot stiffness to the results of Hertzian contact model calculations. Specifically, a finite element analysis generates tetrahedral mesh models with ~40,000 nodes for a ball-socket pivot and ~50,000 nodes for a rocker-back pivot. These models assume a frictionless boundary condition in the contact area. Increasing the applied loads on the pad in conjunction with increasing time steps ensures rapid convergence during the nonlinear numerical analysis. Predictions are performed using the developed finite element model for increasing the differential diameters between the pad pivot (or ball) and the bearing housing (or socket). The predictions show that the pivot contact area increases with decreasing differential diameters and increasing applied loads. Further, the maximum deformation occurring at the pivot center increases with increasing differential diameters and increasing applied loads. The pivot stiffness increases nonlinearly with decreasing differential diameters and increasing applied loads. Comparisons of results of the developed finite element model to those of Hertzian contact model calculations assuming a small contact area show that the latter model underestimates the pivot stiffnesses predicted by the finite element models of the ball-socket and rocker-back pivots, particularly for small differential diameters. This result implies the need for cautionduring the design of pivot stiffness by the Hertzian contact model.

• The KSFM Journal of Fluid Machinery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2017

This paper predicts the rotordynamic force coefficients of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) with ball-socket pivot and compares the predictions to the published test data obtained under load-between-pad (LBP) configuration. The present TPJB model considers the pivot stiffness calculated based on the Hertzian contact stress theory. Due to the compliance of the pivot, the predicted journal eccentricity agree well with the measured journal center trajectory for increasing static loads, while the early prediction without pivot model consideration underestimates it largely. The predicted pressure profile shows the significant pressure development even on the unloaded pads along the direction opposite to the loading direction. The predicted stiffness coefficients increase as the static load and the rotor speed increase. They agree excellently with test data from open literature. The predicted damping coefficients increase as the static load increases and the rotor speed decreases. The prediction underestimates the test data slightly. In general, the current predictive model including the pivot stiffness improves the accuracy of the rotordynamic performance predictions when compared to the previously published predictions.