Textured thrust bearings are capable of providing higher load capacity and lower friction torque compared to nontextured bearings. However, most previous optimization efforts for texturing geometry were focused on rectangular dimples and employed Reynolds equation. Limited studies have been done to investigate the effects of partially textured thrust bearings with elliptical dimples. This study proposes a new optimization approach to find the optimal partially texture geometry with elliptical dimples, which maximize the loading capacity and minimize the friction torque. In this study, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for a parallel sector-pad thrust bearing is built using ANSYS cfx. Mass conserving cavitation model is used to simulate the cavitation regions. Energy equation for Newtonian flow is also solved. The results of the model are validated by the experimental data from the literature. Based on this model, the flow pattern and pressure distribution inside the dimples are analyzed. The geometry of elliptical dimple is parameterized and analyzed using design of experiments (DOE). The selected geometry parameters include the length of major and minor axes, dimple depth, radial and circumferential space between two dimples, and the radial and circumferential extend. A multi-objective optimization scheme is used to find the optimal texture structure with the load force and friction torque set as objective functions. The results show that the shape of dimples has a crucial effect on the performance of the textured thrust bearings. Searching the design space for a proper combination among the design variables satisfying the constraints has the advantage of capturing the codependence among design variables and leads to a surface patterning of the bearing, which showed a 42.7% improvement on the load capacity.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
September 2017
Research-Article
An Optimum Design Approach for Textured Thrust Bearing With Elliptical-Shape Dimples Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Design of Experiments Including Cavitation
Gen Fu,
Gen Fu
Laboratory for Turbomachinery and Components,
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 107,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: gen8@vt.edu
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 107,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: gen8@vt.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Alexandrina Untaroiu
Alexandrina Untaroiu
Laboratory for Turbomachinery and Components,
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 324,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: alexu@vt.edu
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 324,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: alexu@vt.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Gen Fu
Laboratory for Turbomachinery and Components,
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 107,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: gen8@vt.edu
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 107,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: gen8@vt.edu
Alexandrina Untaroiu
Laboratory for Turbomachinery and Components,
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 324,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: alexu@vt.edu
Department of Biomedical
Engineering and Mechanics,
Virginia Tech,
Norris Hall, Room 324,
495 Old Turner Street,
Blacksburg, VA 24061
e-mail: alexu@vt.edu
Contributed by the Structures and Dynamics Committee of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING FOR GAS TURBINES AND POWER. Manuscript received December 22, 2016; final manuscript received February 14, 2017; published online April 11, 2017. Editor: David Wisler.
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Sep 2017, 139(9): 092502 (9 pages)
Published Online: April 11, 2017
Article history
Received:
December 22, 2016
Revised:
February 14, 2017
Citation
Fu, G., and Untaroiu, A. (April 11, 2017). "An Optimum Design Approach for Textured Thrust Bearing With Elliptical-Shape Dimples Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Design of Experiments Including Cavitation." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. September 2017; 139(9): 092502. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4036188
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Experimental Identification Of Blade Tip Rub Forces At Engine Relevant Temperatures And Speeds
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Study Of Tandem Rotor Dual Wake Interaction With Downstream Stator Under Unsteady Numerical Approach
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Experimental Design Validation of a Swirl-Stabilized Burner With Fluidically Variable Swirl Number
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
Experimental Characterization of a Bladeless Air Compressor
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April 2025)
Related Articles
The Influence of Surface Patterning on the Thermal Properties of Textured Thrust Bearings
J. Tribol (November,2018)
Study on Static Characteristics of Water-Lubricated Textured Spiral Groove Thrust Bearing Using Laminar Cavitating Flow Lubrication Model
J. Tribol (April,2022)
Effect of Foil Geometry on the Static Performance of Thrust Foil Bearings
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (August,2018)
Effect of Recess Shape on the Performance of a High-Speed Hybrid Journal Bearing
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (November,2017)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Hydrodynamic Lubrication
Design of Mechanical Bearings in Cardiac Assist Devices
Introduction
Design of Mechanical Bearings in Cardiac Assist Devices
Materials
Design and Application of the Worm Gear