A Contribution to Experimental Identification of Frequency-Dependent Dynamic Coefficients of Tilting-Pad Journal Bearings with Centered and Off-Centered Pivot

Linearized dynamic bearing parameters and models are of essential interest for rotordynamic analyses in machine design. This paper experimentally studies the impact of pad preload and pivot offset on the frequency-dependent characteristics of dynamic stiffness (K) and damping coefficients (C) of a KC-model for tilting-pad journal bearings. For this purpose, two four-pad test bearing configurations (preload m=0.17, pivot offset 0.5 and preload m=0.47, pivot offset 0.6) that differ highly with respect to the pad design parameters are investigated. Contributing effects on the results due to geometric differences are excluded as far as possible, as only one aligning ring and one pivot support design is used. The tests are conducted on a high-performance test rig for surface speeds up to 140 m/s and excitation frequencies of 500 Hz. Significant deviations between the two bearings are identified that generally match theoretically predicted differences and, therefore, contribute to the validation of dynamic bearing modeling.

Automated summary

This study experimentally investigates the influence of pad preload and pivot offset on the frequency-dependent characteristics of dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of tilting-pad journal bearings. The results validate the effectiveness of dynamic bearing modeling.