Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Machine Design and Theory".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 19974

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Università di Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy
Interests: mechanical engineering; numerical simulation; structural dynamics; rotor dynamics; finite element modeling; finite element analysis; structural analysis; solid mechanics; tribology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) are fundamental components in rotating machinery for their known stable behavior at high rotational speeds. Their steady and dynamic characteristics have been investigated extensively by several researchers. Devoted test rigs have been realized to validate the predictions of theoretical models. Nonetheless, due to the complexity of TPJB, there are still issues that need to be clarified in order to improve predictability of their behavior at the design step.

I am happy to announce this Special Issue entitled "Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: state of the art". The main focus of this Special Issue is work related to TPJB and TPJB-rotor systems, highlighting not only improved performance, but also deeper insights into the phenomena that govern these components and the influence of design, operation, materials, manufacturing parameters. Some keywords are provided but they are by no means exhaustive. If you are interested, please submit the abstract before 31 May 2021.

Prof. Dr. Paola Forte
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • modelling and simulation
  • design and optimization
  • experimental tests and uncertainty assessment
  • materials and manufacturing
  • identification methods
  • stability analysis
  • nonlinear effects
  • active lubrication

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 5059 KiB  
Article
Efficient Flexible Multibody Models for Tilting Pad Journal Bearings
by Guglielmo Giannetti, Enrico Meli and Andrea Rindi
Machines 2022, 10(4), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10040223 - 22 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2479
Abstract
Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) are key components in modern rotating machines. They require accurate modeling to describe their behavior, and we considered the thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic approach. Thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) models are a powerful tool for machine design and analysis, but they have to assure [...] Read more.
Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) are key components in modern rotating machines. They require accurate modeling to describe their behavior, and we considered the thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic approach. Thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic (TEHD) models are a powerful tool for machine design and analysis, but they have to assure a good compromise between accuracy and numerical efficiency. Current multi-physics TEHD models of TPJBs are very accurate; however, their numerical efficiency is still far from being satisfying for industrial applications. To partially fill this gap, we propose an innovative modeling approach based on efficient flexible multibody techniques, such as the Floating Frame of Reference Formulation (FFRF) and some extensions that can be easily coupled with different fluid dynamic models to describe the whole TPJB. The model was tested on a real TPJB geometry and validated through experimental tests. The results are encouraging and show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Finally, the model proposed can be applied in different engineering fields, such as Oil & Gas and aeronautics, where TPJBs are typically used, where it is fundamental to always reach better performance with low energy consumption and where it is particularly important to have an efficient and accurate model to simulate long period times with brief simulation times. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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21 pages, 7688 KiB  
Article
Development of a Robust Test Rig for Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Validation
by Danilo Alvaro da Silva, Gregory Bregion Daniel and Katia Lucchesi Cavalca
Machines 2022, 10(3), 189; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10030189 - 5 Mar 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3038
Abstract
Several theoretical models for predicting the performance of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) have been developed by the scientific community over the years. However, reliable validation of the predictions based on the theoretical models, taking into account the complexity of TPJBs, demands robustness [...] Read more.
Several theoretical models for predicting the performance of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) have been developed by the scientific community over the years. However, reliable validation of the predictions based on the theoretical models, taking into account the complexity of TPJBs, demands robustness in the design and assembly of an improved test rig. Test bench designs for testing hydrodynamic bearings must carefully consider construction details as much as possible to observe the effect from the journal bearing and, consequently, improve the predictability of its dynamical behavior. In this context, there are still relatively few test rigs in the specific literature devoted to isolating the dynamic effects from hydrodynamic bearings for analysis purposes. Therefore, a novel test rig project is described in this work, also involving the design versatility characterized by measurement feasibility in rolling-element bearings and fixed-geometry, hydrodynamic journal bearings. This test rig aims to reproduce the most diverse operating conditions in order to measure the involved physical responses and validate the different models applied to the bearings. Therefore, the bearing performance can be properly evaluated, especially when operating under critical operating conditions, thus providing important contributions to the area of lubrication and rotor dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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14 pages, 5327 KiB  
Article
Investigation of PEEK Lined Pads for Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings
by Steven Chatterton, Edoardo Gheller, Andrea Vania, Paolo Pennacchi and Phuoc Vinh Dang
Machines 2022, 10(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10020125 - 10 Feb 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3144
Abstract
Tilting-pad journal bearings are widely used in industry to support rotating shafts due to their high dynamic performance. The operating limits of these bearings are mainly represented by the maximum permissible temperature of the lined materials of the pads and by the minimum [...] Read more.
Tilting-pad journal bearings are widely used in industry to support rotating shafts due to their high dynamic performance. The operating limits of these bearings are mainly represented by the maximum permissible temperature of the lined materials of the pads and by the minimum thickness of the oil-film under which mixed lubrication can occur. The current trend in bearing development sees the adoption of innovative materials in the production of the pads, that provide higher load capacity, higher temperature capability and greater fatigue resistance. In this paper, the static characteristics of bearings lined with different materials, will be investigated. The temperature distribution in the bearing will be evaluated by means of a full 3D thermal model whereas the deformation of the pads will be evaluated by means of a finite element model. At the end, the permissible operating range in terms of load and speed will be defined for each material by considering the limits on the maximum temperature, permissible mechanical stress and minimum oil-film thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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16 pages, 8865 KiB  
Article
Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Ball and Socket Pivots: Experimental Determination of Stiffness
by Enrico Ciulli, Paola Forte, Flavio Antonelli, Roberto Minelli and Daniele Panara
Machines 2022, 10(2), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines10020081 - 23 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3827
Abstract
Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) are used in turbomachinery for their stability at high speeds. For design purposes, it is necessary to preliminarily investigate the turbomachine rotor dynamic behavior by simulation. The dynamic characteristics of all components must be known as precisely as [...] Read more.
Tilting pad journal bearings (TPJB) are used in turbomachinery for their stability at high speeds. For design purposes, it is necessary to preliminarily investigate the turbomachine rotor dynamic behavior by simulation. The dynamic characteristics of all components must be known as precisely as possible and experimental validation of each single model is required. While a lot of work has been carried out on bearings, the ball-and-socket stiffness is still estimated by means of Hertzian formulas. Recently, some authors have used the finite element method, but it seems that nothing has been done experimentally to date. This paper describes the test rig designed to determine the stiffness of a TPJB ball-and-socket pivot by equipping the grippers of a tensile universal testing machine with specifically designed interfaces. A methodology for evaluating the stiffness from the experimental results is reported. Preliminary compression results are presented and compared with the analytical ones obtained using Hertz’s formula showing significant differences for the ball-and-socket conformal contact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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18 pages, 7170 KiB  
Article
Approximation of Non-Linear Rotor Dynamic Resonance Behavior of Vertically Aligned Hydro-Units Guided by Tilting-Pad Bearings
by Daniel Vetter, Thomas Hagemann, Andreas Schubert and Hubert Schwarze
Machines 2021, 9(12), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines9120334 - 4 Dec 2021
Viewed by 2655
Abstract
Dynamic analyses of vertical hydro power plant rotors require the consideration of the non-linear bearing characteristics. This study investigates the vibrational behavior of a typical vertical machine using a time integration method that considers non-linear bearing forces. Thereby, the influence of support stiffness [...] Read more.
Dynamic analyses of vertical hydro power plant rotors require the consideration of the non-linear bearing characteristics. This study investigates the vibrational behavior of a typical vertical machine using a time integration method that considers non-linear bearing forces. Thereby, the influence of support stiffness and unbalance magnitude is examined. The results show a rising influence of unbalance on resonance speed with increasing support stiffness. Furthermore, simulations reveal that the shaft orbit in the bearing is nearly circular for typical design constellations. This property is applied to derive a novel approximation procedure enabling the examination of non-linear resonance behavior, using linear rotor dynamic theory. The procedure considers the dynamic film pressure for determining the pad position. In addition, it is time-efficient compared to a time integration method, especially at high amplitudes when damping becomes small. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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31 pages, 19417 KiB  
Article
Experimental Characterization of Large Turbomachinery Tilting Pad Journal Bearings
by Enrico Ciulli, Riccardo Ferraro, Paola Forte, Alice Innocenti and Matteo Nuti
Machines 2021, 9(11), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/machines9110273 - 7 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2700
Abstract
The paper deals with the experimental characterization of different 280 mm diameter tilting pad journal bearings for turbomachines using a dedicated test rig. The test articles were a 5-pad Direct Lube Rocker Pivot bearing, a 5-pad Flooded Rocker Pivot bearing, and a 4-pad [...] Read more.
The paper deals with the experimental characterization of different 280 mm diameter tilting pad journal bearings for turbomachines using a dedicated test rig. The test articles were a 5-pad Direct Lube Rocker Pivot bearing, a 5-pad Flooded Rocker Pivot bearing, and a 4-pad Flooded Ball and Socket Pivot bearing. The three bearings were tested in their specific design range of operating conditions. Their static and dynamic behavior was investigated as a function of different operating parameters. In particular, the assumed journal center eccentricity and pads temperature were measured, and the power loss determined as a function of angular speed for different static loads. Dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients were determined as a function of excitation frequency for different speeds and loads. The experimental results were compared showing the influence of the operating parameters, configuration, and oil supply. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: State of the Art)
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