Abstract
The multilayer gas foil thrust bearing (MLFTB) has four layers of foil structures with each having unique configuration and function. In this article, an updated complete model of the overlapped foil layers of MLFTB is established to calculate more accurate foil deformations and bearing performance by considering sufficient possibilities of separations between adjacent foil layers. The accuracy of the model is validated through the load capacity tests of MLFTB, which is presented for the first time in open publications. Based on the complete model, influences of individual and combined key foil structural factors on bearing load-carrying performance and top foil deformations are studied, revealing the function mechanism of each foil layer and obtaining the method of adjusting two-dimensional stiffness distributions. Furthermore, parametric optimizations toward improving the load capacity of this type of foil thrust bearing are conducted based on a developed algorithm. This study provides sufficient theoretical knowledge and designing methods for further investigations of MLFTB.
References
1.
Agrawal
, G. L.
, 1997
, “Foil Air/Gas Bearing Technology—An Overview,” Proceedings of the ASME 1997 International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exhibition. Volume 1: Aircraft Engine, Marine, Turbomachinery Microturbines and Small Turbomachinery
, Orlando, FL
, June 2–5
, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
, p. V001T04A006.2.
Li
, C.
, Du
, J.
, Zhu
, J.
, and Yao
, Y.
, 2018
, “Effects of Structural Parameters on the Load Carrying Capacity of the Multi-Leaf Gas Foil Journal Bearing Based on Contact Mechanics
,” Tribol. Int.
, 131
, pp. 318
–331
. 3.
Li
, C.
, Du
, J.
, and Yao
, Y.
, 2020
, “Study of Load Carrying Mechanism of a Novel Three-Pad Gas Foil Bearing With Multiple Sliding Beams
,” Mech. Syst. Signal Process
, 135
, p. 106372
. 4.
Walowit
, J. A.
, and Anno
, J. N.
, 1975
, Modern Developments in Lubrication Mechanics
, Applied Science Publishers Ltd
, London, UK
, Chap. 7.5.
Iordanoff
, I.
, 1999
, “Analysis of an Aerodynamic Compliant Foil Thrust Bearing: Method for a Rapid Design
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 121
(4
), pp. 816
–822
. 6.
Ku C
, P. R.
, and Heshmat
, H.
, 1992
, “Compliant Foil Bearing Structural Stiffness Analysis: Part I—Theoretical Model Including Strip and Variable Bump Foil Geometry
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 114
(2
), pp. 394
–400
. 7.
Le Lez
, S.
, Arghir
, M.
, and Frene
, J.
, 2007
, “A new Bump-Type Foil Bearing Structure Analytical Model
,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
, 129
(4
), pp. 747
–757
. 8.
Kai
, F.
, and Kaneko
, S.
, 2010
, “Analytical Model of Bump-Type Foil Bearings Using a Link-Spring Structure and a Finite-Element Shell Model
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 132
(2
), p. 021706
. 9.
San Andres
, L.
, Ryu
, K.
, and Diemer
, P.
, 2014
, “Prediction of Gas Thrust Foil Bearing Performance for Oil-Free Automotive Turbochargers
,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
, 137
(3
), p. 032502
. 10.
Lee
, D. H.
, Kim
, Y. C.
, and Kim
, K. W.
, 2005
, “The Static Performance Analysis of Air Foil Journal Bearings Considering Three-Dimensional Structure of Bump Foil
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 130
(3
), pp. 538
–544
. 11.
Lehn
, A.
, Mahner
, M.
, and Schweizer
, B.
, 2016
, “Elasto-Gasdynamic Modeling of Air Foil Thrust Bearings With a Two-Dimensional Shell Model for Top and Bump Foil
,” Tribol. Int.
, 100
, pp. 48
–59
. 12.
Gad
, A. M.
, and Kaneko
, S.
, 2014
, “A New Structural Stiffness Model for Bump-Type Foil Bearings: Application to Generation II Gas Lubricated Foil Thrust Bearing
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 136
(4
), pp. 216
–223
. 13.
Arghir
, M.
, and Benchekroun
, O.
, 2019
, “A Simplified Structural Model of Bump-Type Foil Bearings Based on Contact Mechanics Including Gaps and Friction
,” Tribol. Int.
, 134
, pp. 129
–144
. 14.
Xu
, Z.
, Li
, C.
, and Du
, J.
, 2021
, “Modeling and Static Characteristics Study of the Double-Layer Bump Gas Foil Bearing
,” Tribol. Int.
, 164
, p. 107202
. 15.
Heshmat
, H.
, Walowit
, J. A.
, and Pinkus
, O.
, 1983
, “Analysis of Gas Lubricated Compliant Thrust Bearings
,” ASME J. Lubr. Tech.
, 105
(4
), pp. 638
–646
. 16.
Heshmat
, H.
, 1991
, “Analysis of Compliant Foil Bearings With Spatially Variable Stiffness
,” 27th Joint Propulsion Conference
, Sacramento, CA
, June 24–26
.17.
Kim
, T. H.
, and Lee
, T. W.
, 2015
, “Design Optimization of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings for Maximum Load Capacity
,” ASME Turbo Expo: Turbine Technical Conference & Exposition.
18.
Fu
, G.
, Untaroiu
, A.
, and Swanson
, E. E.
, 2018
, “Effect of Foil Geometry on the Static Performance of Thrust Foil Bearings
,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power.
, 140
(8
), p. 082502
19.
Brockett
, T. S.
, Chinta
, M.
, and Weissert
, D. H.
, 2004
, Compliant Foil Thrust Bearing: US patent, US6702463 B1
.20.
Xiaoqiang
, H. U.
, Peng
, L.
, Kai
, F.
, and Xueyuan
, Z.
, 2018
, “Static and Dynamic Performance of Laminated Gas Foil Thrust Bearing
,” J. Aerosp. Power.
, 33
(12
), pp. 3022
–3031
.21.
Li
, C.
, Du
, J.
, and Yao
, Y.
, 2017
, “Modeling of a Multi-Layer Foil Gas Thrust Bearing and Its Load Carrying Mechanism Study
,” Tribol. Int.
, 114
, pp. 172
–185
. 22.
Zienkiewicz
, O. C.
, Taylor
, R. L.
, and Fox
, D.
, 2005
, The Finite Element Method for Solid and Structural Mechanics
, 6th ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.23.
Wriggers
, P.
, 2006
, Computational Contact Mechanics
, Springer
, Berlin/Heidelberg
.24.
Peng
, Z. C.
, and Khonsari
, M. M.
, 2004
, “Hydrodynamic Analysis of Compliant Foil Bearings With Compressible Air Flow
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 126
(3
), pp. 542
–546
. 25.
Kim
, T. H.
, Park
, M.
, and Lee
, T. W.
, 2017
, “Design Optimization of Gas Foil Thrust Bearings for Maximum Load Capacity
,” ASME J. Tribol.
, 139
(3
), p. 031705
. Copyright © 2022 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.
