Performance of Large Steam Turbine Journal Bearings

Behavior of 16 and 20-inch diameter bearings of elliptical and pad types are examined for speeds ranging up to 5000 rpm and loads up to 1200 psi. The higher power loss, greater oil film thickness, and oil feed requirements are evaluated for the turbulent oil film conditions existing at the upper test speeds. The laminar-turbulent transition speed is found to be strongly related to bearing loading. Presented at the 25th ASLE Annual Meeting in Chicago, May 4–8, 1970