Thermal EHL Analysis of Aero-Engine Mainshaft Ball Bearing with Dynamic Characteristics

In this paper, the aero-engine mainshaft ball bearing 476728 under typical conditions of high speed and high load were taken as cases. An integrated numerical algorithm containing dynamic analysis and thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) analysis was put forward, which broke the limitation of both traditional analysis in their respective field and improved the accuracy of the numerical analysis. The minimum film thickness (MFT) of typical quasi-dynamic analysis, integrated analysis and testing were compared. Results show the integrated analysis MFT was in good agreement with experimental data, which demonstrate the integrated analysis was available and can be used to judge the lubrication regime more accurately. The structural effects including curvature coefficient, contact angle and rolling element number on the contact stress, the relative sliding velocity, EHL film pressure, thickness and temperature of aero-engine mainshaft ball bearing were discussed, which can provide important theoretical basis for the mainshaft bearing structural design and optimization.