Theoretical and experimental analysis of a partially textured thrust bearing with square dimples

Abstract

Surface texturing has proved to be very efficient in full and mixed lubrication, reducing the friction coefficient and the wear rate of mating surfaces. By partially texturing the inlet zone of a thrust washer pad load carrying capacity is generated in the system. In the present paper, a partially textured thrust bearing with square dimples is analysed theoretically using a thermohydrodynamic model. The equations are solved numerically by the finite-difference method. The bearing was realized by the photolithographic method and the theoretical results (fluid film thickness and friction torque) were compared with the experimental data obtained on the test rig. It is found that an optimal number of 12 sectors maximize the load carrying capacity of the bearing. The optimal textured fraction, which maximizes the load carrying capacity is 0.5 on the circumferential direction and 0.9-1 on the radial direction. A good correlation was found between the theoretical and experimental results for the two measured parameters (fluid film thickness and friction torque).

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of a Laser Textured Thrust Bearing

“…Also the laser textured bearing is cheaper to realize compared to the tilting pad bearing. A comparison between the laser textured bearing LASER2 and a partially textured bearing obtained using the photolithographic method (EROZ1) as presented in [15] is shown in Fig. 16.…”

“…The oil is supplied to the system by the oil circuit (6) using a hydraulic pump. The system is not immersed in an oil bath, the necessary oil being supplied through the oil nozzle (15). The friction torque is measured by the load cell (9) which prevents the rotation of the textured ring (10), fixed on the roller bearing (8).…”

“…A good review of the evolution of laser texturing can be found in [14]. Partially textured bearings were realized by the photolithographic method [15]. Laser surface texturing provides an efficient method to realize this type of bearing [16,17].…”

3-D Characterization, Optimization, and Classification of Textured Surfaces

“…The numerical analyses of these effects on hydrodynamic lubrication have also been shown. For example, a partially textured thrust bearing pad with square dimples was analysed and the optimal area fraction of the textured pad for which the load carrying capacity is at maximum was found [16]. Recently, the analytical optimal solution for the effect of uniform periodic textures on the load carrying capacity in thrust bearings has been obtained using homogenization technique and pertubation analysis [17].…”

The Effect of Triangular Dimple Orientation on Load-Carrying Capacity

“…Several surfaces with dimples fabricated by surface modified technology have been applied in mechanical seals [1][2][3][4][5], thrust bearing [6][7][8][9], and piston rings [10][11], etc. The area density, the depth and feature distribution of the dimple are important geometric parameters which influence the tribological performance.…”