• 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.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.294-301
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• 2015

In this paper, we predict the rotordynamic force coefficients of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) with rocker-back pivots, and we compare the predictions to recently published predictions and test data. The present TPJB model considers the rocker-back pivot stiffness calculated based on the Hertzian contact-stress theory, which is nonlinear with the application of a force . For the five-pad TPJB in load-between-pad and load-on-pad configurations, the predictions show the pressure- and film-thickness distributions, the deflection and stiffness of the individual pivots, and bearing stiffness and damping coefficients. The minimum film thickness and peak pressure occur at the bottom pad on which the applied load is directed. Because of the preload, the pres- sure is positive even at the upper pad in the opposite direction to the applied load. The pivot deflection and stiff- ness are maximum at the bottom pad that receives the heaviest pressure load. The predicted stiffness coefficients increase as the static load and rotor speed increase, while the damping coefficients decrease as the rotor speed increases, but increase as the static load increases. In general, the predicted stiffness coefficients agree well with the test data. The predicted damping coefficients overestimate the test data, particularly for large static loads. In general, the current predictive model considering the pivot stiffness improves the accuracy of the rotordynamic performance compared to previously reported models.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2014

This study set out to predict the load capacity and rotordynamic coefficients of tilting-pad journal bearings, taking the pivot stiffness into account. The analysis uses rocker-back (cylindrical) and ball in socket (spherical) pivot models, both of which are based on Hertzian contact stress theory. The models ascertain the non-linear elastic deformation of the pivots according to the applied load, pivot geometry, and material properties. At present, the Reynolds equation for an isothermal, isoviscous, and incompressible fluid is used to calculate the film pressure by using the finite-element method, after which the Newton-Raphson method is used to simultaneously find the journal center location, pad angles, and pivot deflections. The bearing analysis, excluding the pivot models, is validated using predictions those are readily available in the literature. As the rotor speed increases, the predicted journal eccentricity and damping coefficients decrease, but the stiffness coefficients increase, as expected. Most importantly, the implementation of the pivot models increases the journal eccentricity but significantly decreases the stiffness and damping coefficients of the tilting-pad journal bearings.