The Hydrodynamic Pocket Thrust-Bearing

Abstract

Wilcock (1955)† describes a thrust bearing in which the power loss is very much less than that of the existing conventional thrust bearings. This bearing consists of a stepped oil film with side lands to restrict side leakage, and a pocket of large depth over which the friction is negligible. The analysis described, although allowing for side leakage, is not very exact. Kettleborough (1955) has described an electrolytic tank investigation into stepped thrust-bearings. The method has been modified for the bearing under discussion and operating characteristics have been calculated. The results are compared with those for the tilting-pad bearing and stepped bearing and verify that the latter is superior to the others so far as hydrodynamic performance is concerned.