Rotordynamic evaluation of a near-tangential-injection hybrid bearing
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Given the inherent DN and assembly limitations of rolling-element bearings, research is underway to develop hybrid bearings (combining hydrostatic and hydrodynamic effects) for their replacement. Hybrid bearings develop cross-coupled stiffness coefficients due to fluid rotation, leading to predictions of onset speeds of instability and potential limitations in their range of application. Injecting fluid into a bearing recess against rotation, versus the customary radial injection, can reduce the circumferential flow and the cross-coupled-stiffness coefficients, and increase the margin of stability. Test results are presented here for a hybrid bearing with against-rotation injection. The bearing has a 76.4 mm diameter with LID = 1, and CrIR = 0.001. Data are presented for 55C water at three speeds out to 25000 rpm and three pressures out to 7.0 MPa. Compared to a radial-injection hybrid bearing, experiments show injection against rotation enhances stability, yielding reductions of cross-coupled stiffness coefficients and whirl frequency ratios. However, increased flow rate and a drop of effective stiffness with increasing speed adversely affect the bearing performance. The prediction code developed by San Andres (1995) includes angled-orifice injection. The code correctly predicts trends, but at low speed, measured cross-coupled stiffness coefficients are positive, versus a prediction of larger negative values.
