ASSIGNMENT 1
HYDRODYNAMIC THRUST PAD BEARING
PROBLEM 1: An infinitely wide slider bearing, shown in the sketch, has three sections with
film thicknesses 2ℎ , 𝛼ℎ1 , ℎ1 respectively. Find which value of 𝛼 gives the maximum load-
carrying capacity for given values of ℎ1 , 𝑙, 𝑈, and 𝜇. Use the Reynolds equation and the oil
flow equation.
PROBLEM 2: A thrust bearing analysis is to be performed on the bearing shown below. Side
leakage is to be neglected. Starting with the appropriate Reynolds equation, determine the
pressure throughout the bearing.
PROBLEM 3: For the situation described in each diagram given below, express the appropriate
Reynolds equation and sketch the expected pressure distributions. It can be assumed that the bearings
are of infinite width and that the lubricant is Newtonian, isoviscous, and incompressible and does not
experience cavitation. The shaded members shown in the diagrams are at rest.
PROBLEM 4. Consider an infinitely wide taper-step slider bearing shown in Figure
(a) Write down all the necessary boundary conditions for this problem.
(b) Starting from the Reynolds equation, determine an expression for the pressure distribution
for this bearing.
(c) Plot the pressure profile.
(d) Determine an expression for the velocity profile and volumetric flow rate.
Figure
PROBLEM 5 : A viscous pump is in the shape of a Rayleigh step bearing. Before the slider
begins to move, there is contact between the part of the step and the sliding surface, i.e., h2=0.
Assuming that the bearing is infinitely wide. Show that the minimum sliding speed necessary
for the bearing to take off is:
𝑊 ℎ
𝑈=
3𝜂 𝐿
a) Determine a numerical value for the critical speed, given that load W=20 N/mm,
L1= 0.050 m, h1=0.050 m, L2=0.02m, and the oil is SAE 30 at T=30oC (η= 0.11
N s/m2)
b) Determine the steady-state film thickness h2 after bearing floats.
c) Determine an expression for the coefficient of friction and a numerical value in
terms of the specifications in part b.
(a) (b)
PROBLEM 6: An infinitely wide step bearing is modified to include an axial groove whose depth is
much greater than the film thickness . The inlet and outlet film thicknesses are h1 and h2, respectively.
The sliding velocity of the slider is U, and the fluid viscosity is μ. Assuming that pressure remains
constant in the groove:
Axial groove
(a) Sketch the pressure distribution for this bearing.
(b) Determine an expression for the load-carrying
capacity in terms of the maximum pressure.
(c) Determine the critical speed needed for this bearing
to take off from an initial position when h2= 0, assuming
U
that the load per unit width of this bearing is W =
15N/mm, B1 = B2= B3 = 15mm, and h1= 0.05mm.
PROBLEM 7: Two infinitely long cylinders in rolling motion are shown in the accompanying figure.
The film thickness h is described as a ℎ = ℎ + 𝑥 ⁄2𝑅, where R is the equivalent radius of curvature,
defined as:
1 =1 1
𝑅 𝑅1 + 𝑅2
Write down the appropriate governing equation and the boundary conditions for determining the
pressure distribution in the fluid. Solve for the pressure and the load carrying capacity.
PROBLEM 8: You are to recommend a design for a spring-supported thrust bearing to carry 4 million
pounds of thrust in a 90-rpm hydroelectric generator. The inside diameter is to be 48 in. Maximum unit
loading on the pads is limited to 500 lb/𝑖𝑛 , which will set the outside diameter. Using an assumed film
thickness ratio ℎ /ℎ =2.0, Calculate minimum film thickness, power loss, oil-film flow, and
temperature rise with 6 pads and then 12 pads.
PROBLEM 9: A fixed-inclined-pad thrust bearing of length 100 mm and width 500 mm, with a
minimum film thickness of 50 μm, operates at a sliding velocity of 1 m/s with a mineral oil of absolute
viscosity of 30 cP. Film thickness ratio is adjusted to produce the maximum load capacity. Calculate
the maximum pressure and the location of the maximum pressure, normal load capacity, film stiffness,
volumetric flow rate, the shear force experienced by the sliding surface, the coefficient of friction, the
power loss and the average temperature rise of the fluid. The mass density and specific heat of oil are
880 kg/m3 and 1.88 J/g K, respectively.
PROBLEM 10: A flat strip of metal emerges from a liquid bath of viscosity 𝜇 and pressure
𝑝 above ambient and has velocity 𝑢 on passing through a slot of the form shown in the sketch.
In the initial convergent part of the slot the film thickness decreases linearly from ℎ + 𝑠 , to
ℎ over a length 𝑛 𝑙 on each side of the strip. In the final section of the slot the film on each
side of the strip has a constant thickness ℎ over a length 𝑙(1 − 𝑛 ).
State clearly the boundary conditions required to determine the pressure distribution along the
slot length in the sliding direction on the assumption that the liquid is isoviscous and
incompressible and the slot is infinitely wide.
Sketch the pressure distribution along the T axis and show that the volume flow rate per unit
width ^ on each side of the strip can be written in dimensionless form as 𝑞 on each side of
the strip can be written in dimensionless form as
Determine the minimum value of 𝑃 required to ensure that the peak pressure in the slot is
located at the inlet, where ℎ = ℎ + 𝑠 if 𝑛 = and 𝐻 = 1.
PROBLEM FOR ALL : Derive the following expression for inclined fixed pad bearing
assuming ISA
Performance parameter ISA solution
Film thickness formula ℎ −ℎ
ℎ(𝑥) = ℎ − 𝑥
𝐵
Film thickness ratio ℎ
𝑛=
ℎ
Pressure distribution 3𝜇𝑈 𝑑ℎ 𝐵
𝑝= 𝑦 −
ℎ 𝑑𝑥 4
Load-carrying capacity 𝐿 1 1
𝑊= 𝜇𝑈 −
4 ℎ ℎ
Friction force 𝐿𝜇𝑈𝐵
𝐹= ln 𝑛
ℎ −ℎ
Flow rate 𝐿𝑈
𝑄 = (ℎ − ℎ )
2
