Development and Preliminary Validation of Efficient 3D Models of Tilting Pad Journal Bearings

This paper mainly focuses on the development of efficient three-dimensional (3D) models of TPJBs, able to contemporaneously simulate both the rotor dynamics of the system and the lubricant supply plant. The proposed modelling approach tries to obtain a good compromise between the typical accuracy of standard 3D models and the high numerical efficiency of simpler and less accurate models. In this work, the whole model has been developed and validated in collaboration with Nuovo Pignone General Electric S.p.a. which provided the required technical and physical data. In particular, the experimental data are referred to a suitable lube oil console system, built at the GE testing center in Massa-Carrara (MS, Italy) for the verification of plant components.