Optimal design of Tilting-Pad Thrust Bearings with High Pressure Injection Pockets

A thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic(TEHD) model based on the Reynolds equation has been used to study the effect of oil injection pockets on the performance of tilting pad thrust bearings. The optimal position of the pivot both with respect to load carrying capacity and minimal power consumption is seen to move towards the leading edge of the pads as the pocket size is increased. A large pocket is seen to negatively influence the performance with respect to friction loss at most operating conditions while at some operating conditions it has a small positive influence. The small pocket has a slight positive influence on the friction loss at most operating conditions. Moderate thermal crowning is shown to have a positive effect on performance, reducing friction loss.