Application Of High Speed And High Performance Fluid Film Bearings In Rotating Machinery.

Abstract

Some of the critical parameters in the design and application of high performance fluid film bearings are emphasized. The limitations and problems associated with high speed and highly loaded bearings will be discussed. Examples of bearing failures, the symptoms associated with these failures, and their impact on the machine performance will be shown. Some of the common failure mechanisms will also be described with suggestions on how to eliminate the failures or reduce their consequences by changes to some of the bearing design features. New developments in bearing technology and testing specifically designed to address some of these limitations will be demonstrated. Case studies and analysis will be used in many common and newly developed turbomachinery equipment to help illustrate some of the key attributes in the design and application of high performance fluid film bearings and squeeze film dampers.