Effects of thermal and mechanical deformations on textured thrust bearings optimally designed by a THD calculation method

A performance optimisation study of a thrust bearing with surface texturing has been addressed. Bearing response calculations have been performed with a thermohydrodynamic modelling approach. A THD-optimal bearing design has been calculated, and a sensitivity analysis has been performed. The optimal design has been evaluated utilising a thermoelastohydrodynamic model, in order to quantify the effects of thermal deformations on tribological characteristics, and a sensitivity analysis demonstrated a small difference on the parameter set of the optimal geometry. However, bearing performance is substantially affected by thermal deformations, leading to a reduction of thrust load by 13% and an increase of friction coefficient by 10%. The presented results highlight the importance of modelling thermal deformation on the design of textured thrust bearings.