Experimental Testing of Hydrodynamic Tapered Land Fixed Geometry Thrust Bearing Under Dynamic Load

Hydrodynamic thrust bearings in rotary machines are affected by varying environmental conditions, necessitating a clear understanding of operating parameters like oil film pressure, thickness, and temperature. Measuring oil film pressure, especially under dynamic conditions, is challenging but crucial for proper design. This study presents experimental investigation of tapered land hydrodynamic thrust bearings under dynamic loading, filling a gap in published research. A custom dynamic loading system was designed and installed into a previously established static loading tapered land hydrodynamic thrust bearing testing apparatus. Here, the new dynamic loading system is used to measure film pressures under dynamic loads (2-10 Hz, 150 lbs, 350 lbs peak loads, and 1500 RPM) to a thrust bearing with 0.002” taper depth. Results are compared to static load tests with similar peak loads and show significant pressure reductions (up to 59.4%) with increasing load frequency. These findings offer insights into hydrodynamic thrust bearing performance under dynamic loads, aiding in design considerations.