Numerical study on the load direction effect on the performance of tilting pad-journal gas bearing

This paper quantitatively presents the effect of load directions on the static performance of gas titling pad-journal bearing (TPJB). The gas film thickness is determined in a subsystem composed of the rotor and one pad. Based on pressure distributions obtained from Reynolds equations, integration method is used to predict the bearing static performance. Pad forces and moment balances are considered in calculating the swing angles. Local and global parameters with different load directions are discussed analytically. With the variation of load direction, the global parameters of the bearing keep relatively stable, while the local parameters can make active changes.