Abstract:
The steady state thermohydrodynamic lubrication performance of thrust bearing with
plate spring supported circular pads was studied.An analysis of influence of spring flexure
rigidity,load, and angular speed on the distribution of film thickness, film pressure, film
temperature,power loss, and pressure center location was carried out.It is shown that low
flexure rigidity of spring and load is helpful in enhancing the lubrication performance of thrust
bearing. A concept of temperature factor is presented as well. The temperature factor keeps
almost unchanged in a wide range of angular speed, the corresponding change in the film
temperature is negligible. Moreover,the pressure center of oil film is located at the upriver
range of the circular pad.