Automatic Control of Loading Forces in a Tilting Pad Journal Bearing

Hydrodynamic three-tilting-pad journal bearing is analyzed. It is shown that a carrying force, stiffness of the bearing, and heat generated at journal rotation highly depend on a clearance between the journal and pads. The clearance can be controlled by measurement and control of hydrodynamic force at journal rotation. The bearing with such possibilities is described in the paper. Control of the hydrodynamic force prevents overheating of the bearing at large frequency of journal rotation, keeps necessary stiffness at small frequency of rotation, enables controlling forces loading the journal. Such a bearing is more versatile than being not controlled. Analysis and calculations are presented in the paper.