Influence of Centrifugal Deformation of Thrust Collar in Water-lubricated Tilting-pad Thrust Bearings of Nuclear Canned Pump

Abstract

The canned pump avoids the problem of rotating seal. However, the tilting pad thrust bearings in the canned pump have a large size and moment of inertia, which leads to an obvious centrifugal inertia effect. A multi-field coupled numerical model of tilting pad thrust bearings is established based on the infinite element method. Two key values of assembly gaps in flywheel design are discussed. There should be at least 1.74 mm between the shield and the outer ring. The centrifugal deformations and corresponding performances of tilting pad thrust bearings of different sizes and speed are analyzed. The rotating speed should be controlled within 3 600 r/min. Finally, the outer diameter of inner hub of flywheel is discussed and the optimal value ranges from 0.63 to 0.67 m.