Enhancing the load carrying capability of airfoil thrust bearing using different configurations of foil arrangement

Abstract

Foil bearing is self–performing hydrodynamic bearing use to take lightly laden high speed rotary machines. The benefits that they suggest to practice fluid lubricated machinery using operational fluid as a lubricant bodily non-contacting high speed practice. Foil bearings have been measured as a substitute to the conventional bearings with the ability to cater for high speeds and unfriendly environment. However, the load carrying capability decreases at relatively lower speeds which limits the applications in heavy turbo machinery and since it is suitable in lightly laden high speed turbo machines like small gas turbines. This paper exhibit the arrangement and evaluation of dynamic characteristics in terms of load carrying capability as a function of speed, thickness of the foils, the space between the bearing and the runner of an airfoil thrust bearing. Experimental studies were conducted to acquire quantitative values of load carrying capabilities of airfoil thrust foil bearings as a function of different operating parameters. The results from the experimental studies shows that increase in load carrying capabilities of airfoil thrust foil bearing is due to change in foil configuration.