Simulation and optimization of thrust circular bearings with planes sector-shaped

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze journal thrust bearings geometries, used in household refrigerators, using a modified version of the Reynolds equation which includes the inertial terms. Design/methodology/approach – The Reynolds equation was solved through the finite volume method, thus providing the pressure field in the lubricant film and, consequently, the load and the power used by the bearing. Such parameters depend on bearing geometry, which was optimized through the method of Lagrange multipliers, to support a given load and use the lowest power possible. The optimized geometries included the Rayleigh pad with 4, 8 and 16 steps, and a milled geometry with 4 steps. Findings – For the Rayleigh pad, the number of steps was varied and a decrease in the power consumed with the increase in the number of steps was observed. The milled pad performance was better than that Rayleigh pad with 4 steps and comparable to the pad with 8 steps. Originality/value – The manufacture of pads, with a high number of steps, is complicated and, then, a milled pad with 4 steps was proposed in this paper. The use of milled pads is a technological innovation worthy of a more thorough investigation, considering its facility of manufacture when compared to the Rayleigh pad.