Finite element analysis of tilted thrust pad bearings of various recesses shapes considering thrust pad flexibility

The performance characteristics of capillary compensated tilted pad hydrostatic bearing operating with Newtonian lubricant and cubic law lubricant are studied numerically considering the flexibility of pad. The two-dimensional Reynolds equation coupled with three-dimensional equilibrium equations governing the deformation of thrust pad has been solved by using finite element method. The results indicate the influence of tilt parameter and bearing deformation on bearing performance characteristics parameters. In the analysis, four different types of recess shapes such as rectangular, circular, elliptical, and square have been chosen for the analysis. The results show that the consideration of bearing pad deformation significantly increases the value of fluid-film stiffness coefficient and decreases the value of fluid-film damping coefficient. The fluid-film pressure distributions also compared for circular, elliptical, square, and rectangular bearing.