A distribution design for circular concave textures on sectorial thrust bearing pads

In this study, the distribution of circular concave textures on sectorial thrust bearing pads is optimized for improving load bearing capacity and reducing friction coefficient. Textures in a sector-shaped array are supposed to be existed or empty, labeled as 1 or 0. Then, the texture distribution is optimized according to a Genetic Algorithm. A distribution/coverage in an asymmetric triangular/trapezoid shape at the inlet of sectorial bearing pad is obtained as the optimized texture arrangement. Effects of convergent ratio and width are studied as well, which demonstrate for bearings with small convergent ratio and width, the tribological improvement effect is more significant.