The Effect of Thermal Distortion on the Characteristics of Large Hydrodynamic Bearings

Abstract

An experimental investigation has been carried out on a 350 mm partial arc journal bearing to determine the steady state characteristics and the stiffness and damping coefficients. The bearing was found to distort due to thermal influences and the pressure distribution and dynamic coefficients consequently differed markedly from those obtained using standard theoretical techniques. Calculations of the speed at which resonant oil whirl develops in a rotor supported by bearings of this type show that the threshold speed is far higher using experimental coefficients than theoretical coefficients. It is concluded that thermal distortion has a significant stabilizing effect on large hydrodynamic bearings.

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