The behaviour of ram pressure and the characteristics of temperature of pivoted pad thrust bearing are investigated.
A single sector-shaped pivoted pad thrust bearing and a rotating disk are used in experiment. Distribution of pressure and film thickness are observed continuously in circumferential direction. Temperature is taken at thirty points on pad surface and three points on disk surface. All data are observed on steady state at fixed pivot position, 51% of width in radial direction from inner radius and 61% from leading edge of pad in circumferential direction.
The ram pressure is proportional to the mean pressure of pad and to the rotating speed of disk. It affects the value of maximum pressure and the pressure distribution of film.
The speed of disk and the load on pad affect the film ratio.
The temperature rise on the surface of disk and pad, contacting with oil film is proportional to the load on pad and to the disk speed. More highly temperature on disk surface rises with the outer radius of disk. The temperature rise on disk surface is more affected by the change of disk speed than by that of load on pad with respect to that of pad surface. So the temperature rise on disk surface is very important factors of the performance of bearing at high speed with low load.
