The dynamic characteristics of tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJBs) are strongly related to their geometric parameters, most importantly the bearing clearance. In turn, the bearing clearance in TPJBs is strongly dependent on the machining tolerances of the bearing parts and their assembling. Considering that, the machining tolerances of the pads can be of the same magnitude order of the oil film thickness in the bearing, it is uncertain that the TPJB will have the originally designed geometry after assembling. Therefore, the resultant dynamic characteristics of the TPJB also become uncertain. In this work, we present an investigation of tilting-pad bearings and their equivalent dynamic coefficients when subjected to dimensional variability. First, we perform a stochastic analysis of the system using a thermo-hydrodynamic (THD) model of the tilting-pad bearing and considering the bearing clearance in each pad as an independent random variable (varying between minimum and maximum values). We show that the scattering of the results of the dynamic coefficients is limited by the values obtained from TPJBs with all pads with maximum or minimum possible clearances. Second, we apply the concepts of reliability analysis to develop a design procedure for tilting-pad bearings. This design methodology considers the results obtained in the stochastic analysis and it allows the Engineer to appropriately design the bearing for a given probability of success or, inversely, a given probability of failure. Such approach assures a level of reliability to the dynamic coefficients of designed TPJBs in face of their dimensional variability.
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January 2019
Research-Article
Design of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings Considering Bearing Clearance Uncertainty and Reliability Analysis
Heitor Antonio Pereira da Silva,
Heitor Antonio Pereira da Silva
São Carlos School of Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: heitorantonio@usp.br
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: heitorantonio@usp.br
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Rodrigo Nicoletti
Rodrigo Nicoletti
São Carlos School of Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: rnicolet@sc.usp.br
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: rnicolet@sc.usp.br
Search for other works by this author on:
Heitor Antonio Pereira da Silva
São Carlos School of Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: heitorantonio@usp.br
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: heitorantonio@usp.br
Rodrigo Nicoletti
São Carlos School of Engineering,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: rnicolet@sc.usp.br
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of São Paulo,
Trabalhador São-Carlense 400,
São Carlos 13566-590, Brazil
e-mail: rnicolet@sc.usp.br
Contributed by the Tribology Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF TRIBOLOGY. Manuscript received March 5, 2018; final manuscript received July 25, 2018; published online August 31, 2018. Assoc. Editor: Alan Palazzolo.
J. Tribol. Jan 2019, 141(1): 011703 (11 pages)
Published Online: August 31, 2018
Article history
Received:
March 5, 2018
Revised:
July 25, 2018
Citation
da Silva, H. A. P., and Nicoletti, R. (August 31, 2018). "Design of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings Considering Bearing Clearance Uncertainty and Reliability Analysis." ASME. J. Tribol. January 2019; 141(1): 011703. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041021
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