Component level study of an actively lubricated LEG Tilting Pad Bearing: Theory and experiment

Abstract This article constitutes the second step in a research effort aiming at evaluating the feasibility of introducing active characteristics into standard leading edge groove (LEG) tilting pad journal bearings. The strategy proposed is to control the LEG inlet flow using a servovalve. This work portrays the first experimental study for the“proof of concept” of this configuration, as well as a comparison with theoretical results. A simplified setup, featuring a rigid rotor supported by a single pad arrangement is the subject of study. The obtained results prove the viability of the proposed active bearing design, validate the available simulation tool and exemplify on a conceptual level the operational benefits from introducing this technology into standard LEG Tilting Pad Bearings.

[1]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Non-Invasive Parameter Identification in Rotordynamics via Fluid Film Bearings: Linking Active Lubrication and Operational Modal Analysis , 2016 .

[2]  Makoto Mikami,et al.  An Experimental Study of Static and Dynamic Characteristics of a 580mm(22.8in.) Diameter Direct Lubrication Tilting Pad Journal Bearing , 2006 .

[3]  An Wu,et al.  A New Active Tilting-Pad Bearing: Nonlinear Modeling and Feedback Control , 2010 .

[4]  Toshio Hirano,et al.  An Experimental Study of Static and Dynamic Characteristics of a 580 mm (22.8 in.) Diameter Direct Lubrication Tilting Pad Journal Bearing , 2004 .

[5]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Active tilting-pad journal bearings supporting flexible rotors: Part II–The model-based feedback-controlled lubrication , 2017 .

[6]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Actively Lubricated Bearings Applied as Calibrated Shakers to Aid Parameter Identification in Rotordynamics , 2013 .

[7]  J. M. Vance,et al.  Rotordynamics of Turbomachinery , 1988 .

[8]  Dara W. Childs,et al.  Turbomachinery Rotordynamics: Phenomena, Modeling, and Analysis , 1993 .

[9]  Zhijun Cai,et al.  Model-Based Control of Active Tilting-Pad Bearings , 2007, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics.

[10]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Modelling of LEG tilting pad journal bearings with active lubrication , 2017 .

[11]  Ronald D. Flack,et al.  Experiments on the Stability and Response of a Flexible Rotor in Three Types of Journal Bearings , 1982 .

[12]  H. Ulbrich,et al.  Actuator design for rotor control , 1989 .

[13]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Multi-orifice active tilting-pad journal bearings—Harnessing of synergetic coupling effects , 2010 .

[14]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings With Electronic Radial Oil Injection , 1998 .

[15]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings With Active Lubrication Applied as Calibrated Shakers: Theory and Experiment , 2014 .

[16]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Steady state characteristics of a tilting pad journal bearing with controllable lubrication: Comparison between theoretical and experimental results , 2013 .

[17]  Minel J. Braun,et al.  Simulation and Control of an Active Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing , 2004 .

[18]  Henry Pizarro Viveros,et al.  Lateral Vibration Attenuation of Shafts Supported by Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing With Embedded Electromagnetic Actuators , 2014 .

[19]  Rodrigo Nicoletti,et al.  THD Analysis in Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings Using Multiple Orifice Hybrid Lubrication , 1999 .

[20]  Ilmar F. Santos,et al.  Dynamic Coefficients of a Tilting Pad With Active Lubrication: Comparison Between Theoretical and Experimental Results , 2015 .

[21]  Waldemar Dmochowski,et al.  A Study of the Thermal Characteristics of the Leading Edge Groove and Conventional Tilting Pad Journal Bearings , 1993 .

[22]  Stephen L. Edney,et al.  Testing, Analysis, and CFD Modeling of a Profiled Leading Edge Groove Tilting Pad Journal Bearing , 1998 .

[23]  Jeong-Hun Kim,et al.  Comparison of power loss and pad temperature for leading edge groove tilting pad journal bearings and conventional tilting pad journal bearings , 2010 .

[24]  Dara W. Childs,et al.  The Impact of Pad Flexibility on the Rotordynamic Coefficients of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings , 2015 .