Tilting Pad Bearing Recess Structure for Pivot Load Averaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In journal bearings, increased bearing loads at low speeds lead to concentrated contact pressure near the pivot, causing local plastic flow and elevated pad temperatures due to the lack of pressure distribution averaging.
Innovation Solution
A tilting pad bearing design featuring recessed portions on the liners and pads to create gaps, reducing contact pressure concentration near the pivot by allowing the pads to bend and distribute load more evenly, thereby preventing local plastic flow and temperature rise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If bearing load is increased in low-speed rotation region, then load support capability is improved, but contact pressure concentrates near the pivot causing local plastic flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a recessed portion at the central position of the pad in the axial direction, creating a localized structural feature that changes the stress distribution characteristics. This local modification allows the pad to bend and enter the gap under load, redistributing contact pressure away from the pivot region while maintaining overall load support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion extends in the axial direction (third dimension) rather than only in the radial direction. By creating a gap in the axial dimension, the invention provides a new pathway for pressure redistribution that prevents concentration in the radial direction near the pivot, effectively using dimensional transition to solve the stress concentration problem.
2Force
If bearing load is increased, then load capacity is improved, but pad temperature increases due to contact pressure concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The recessed portion creates a localized gap region that specifically addresses the temperature problem by redistributing contact pressure away from the high-stress pivot area. This local structural modification reduces frictional heating in the critical region while maintaining load support, thereby controlling pad temperature rise.
3Stress or pressure
If recessed portion is formed in liner or pad, then contact pressure distribution is averaged, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the entire pad or liner structure, the invention introduces a simple recessed portion only at the central position in the axial direction. This localized feature achieves pressure distribution averaging without requiring complex overall structural changes, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed portion segments the pad structure into distinct regions (the recessed central region and the surrounding regions), allowing independent deformation and pressure distribution characteristics in different zones. This segmentation enables effective pressure averaging while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively suppresses pad temperature increases and local plastic flow, ensuring stable support of rotating shafts by averaging contact pressure distribution and maintaining a consistent oil film thickness.
Implementation Method 1
a portion of the pad adjacent to the recessed portion bends and enters into the gap
Implementation Method 2
An oil film of lubricating oil is formed between the pad and an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A tilting pad bearing including pads disposed around a rotating shaft so as to face an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, liners each supporting an outside of the pad in a radial direction with an axis of the rotating shaft as a center, and pivots each supporting an outside of the liner in the radial direction with the axis as a center at a central position of the liner in an axial direction of the rotating shaft so as to allow the pad to be swingable, wherein a recessed portion recessed in a direction away from the pad is formed on a surface of the liner facing the pad or a surface of the pad facing the liner at least at the central position thereof in the axial direction of the rotating shaft.