Performance of electro-rheological (ER) lubricant operated hybrid circular thrust pad bearing considering 3D surface irregularities

This paper describes the behaviour of ER lubricated hybrid circular thrust pad bearing (HCTB) having threedimensional (3D) surface irregularities. Finite element analysis has been used to solve the Reynolds equation and the orifice restrictor equation to analyze the behaviour of hybrid circular thrust pad bearing with irregular surface. The use of ER lubricant and consideration of 3D surface irregularities results in improved load capacity, and damping coefficient, but reduces the stiffness coefficient of HCTB. The dynamic stiffness (S) and damping (C) coefficients gets altered around - 98% and 44.45% respectively due to the synergic effect of ER lubricant (V = 800 volt) and 3D surface irregularity (ha = 0.2) in comparison to smooth surface (ha = 0) HCTB lubricated with Newtonian Fluid (V = 0 volt).

Automated summary

This paper discusses the behavior of a hybrid circular thrust pad bearing (HCTB) lubricated with ER and having three-dimensional surface irregularities. Finite element analysis is used to solve the Reynolds equation and the orifice restrictor equation to study the behavior of the bearing. The use of ER lubricant and consideration of 3D surface irregularities result in improved load capacity and damping coefficient, but reduced stiffness coefficient of HCTB.