The investigation of the temperature of high speed and heavy haul tilting pad journal bearing

Purpose - This paper aims to present the theoretical and experimental investigation of the temperature of high speed and heavy haul tilting pad journal bearing. Design/methodology/approach - The bearing is 152.15 mm in diameter with three slenderness ratios (L/D) and three clearance ratios. The equations that govern the flow and energy transport are solved by the finite difference method, and the experimental tests are conducted in a test rig of high speed and heavy haul tilting pad journal bearing. The shaft speed ranges from 3,000 to 16,500 r/min (the highest linear-velocity equals 131.4 m/s), and the three static loads are 10, 20 and 30 KN. Findings - The comparisons between numerical results and experimental results show better correlations. It is shown in the theoretical and experimental results that the temperature increases with static load and shaft speed and decreases with clearance ratio and L/D. Originality/value - The theoretical models presented in this paper can be used to predict the temperature of tilting pad journal bearing when the shaft's linear velocity is up to 130 m/s.