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FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF FOIL GAS THRUST BEARINGS FOR OIL-FREE TURBOMACHINERY APPLICATIONS

Dykas, Brian David
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1144261305

Abstract Details

2006, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Mechanical Engineering.
The operating characteristics of foil gas thrust bearings are explored experimentally and analytically to ascertain the physical mechanisms that limit bearing performance. Measurements of bearing power loss and load capacity made in a variety of configurations highlight several important factors which influence performance. Consistent with conventional hydrodynamic theory, surface condition of the foil and surface condition of the runner have a large influence on bearing performance. Furthermore, active thermal management via cooling air flow and passive thermal management via conduction through the runner have a large influence. Thermal effects are shown to be more pronounced at higher loads where gas film heat generation and resulting thermoelastic distortion are larger, but smooth lubricious surfaces are needed to achieve these loads. With non-optimal surface conditions such as high levels of roughness, it is shown that asperity contact dominates over thermal deformation. This dissertation quantifies the effects of these non-ideal surface conditions on the load capacity of foil thrust bearings. It is determined that both smooth, low friction surfaces combined with adequate thermal management are necessary to support large loads at high speeds. Furthermore, analysis and modeling suggest that enhanced thermal management is possible by optimizing the thermal characteristics of the runner, an approach not yet exploited by the foil bearing community.
Joseph Prahl (Advisor)
150 p.
foil bearings; gas bearings; air bearings; thrust bearings; oil-free turbomachinery

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dykas, B. D. (2006). FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF FOIL GAS THRUST BEARINGS FOR OIL-FREE TURBOMACHINERY APPLICATIONS [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1144261305

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dykas, Brian. FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF FOIL GAS THRUST BEARINGS FOR OIL-FREE TURBOMACHINERY APPLICATIONS. 2006. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1144261305.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dykas, Brian. "FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCE OF FOIL GAS THRUST BEARINGS FOR OIL-FREE TURBOMACHINERY APPLICATIONS." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1144261305

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1144261305
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© 2006, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.