Theoretical and experimental investigation on the thermal characteristics of double-row tapered roller bearings of high speed locomotive

Thermal characteristics critically affect the service reliability of double-row tapered roller bearing in high speed railway. Research on the heat generation and temperature field is essential for bearing's structure design and operation monitoring. In this article, heat generation model for both raceway and rib of railway bearings were respectively established via the combination of local thermal approach with elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory, the heat generation characteristics of bearing were investigated in multiple working conditions and structural parameters. Then the finite element method was employed via the APDL program to analyze bearing's temperature field distribution and its influence factors. The test rig for full-size double-row tapered roller bearing of high speed railway was constructed and the thermal monitoring were conducted in accordance with the test criteria TB/T3000-2000, the thermal test method on the axle-box test rig for axle-box rolling bearings in rolling stock. The results showed that, for the total heat rate of each column rollers, heat generation of the raceway was much larger than the other parts, which would have distinct effect on bearing's overall temperature. For the heat rate per unit area, heat generation of the rib was much obvious. Hence it would be a key factor to induce the local transient temperature rise of high speed railway bearing. The highest temperature of inner ring was located in the rib. Therefore the rib would be a critical part for the temperature rise failure of high speed railway bearing. Optimization of the rib parameters will be an effective approach for controlling the local temperature rise and ensuring the reliability during bearing operation.