Determination of a large tilting pad thrust bearing angular stiffness

A finite difference procedure to solve the Reynolds' and energy equations for the pressure and temperature distribution across the film is described. The film temperature takes viscosity variation and hot oil carryover into consideration. A coupled finite element method using ANSYS determines the important pad deformation. Torques for pad positions land 2 are calculated. The angular stiffness pertaining to the 2-1 pair is calculated for 0.5-20% variation of h(o). The values of K-t* converge asymptotically. The novel interpolation of a single pad's angular stiffness results to determine the characteristics of the bearing are highlighted. Unlike in earlier studies this analysis is helpful in understanding the factors causing pad flutter and dynamics of the bearing elements in hydrogenerators. (C)2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.