Simulation Research on Temperature Field of Circular Cavity Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing

Abstract

In order to solve the thermal deformation of the hydrostatic thrust bearing in the heavy equipment, a simulation research concerning temperature field of multi-pad hydrostatic thrust bearing having circular cavities was described. The Finite Volume Method of Fluent has been used to compute three-dimensional temperature field of gap fluid between the rotation worktable and base. This study theoretically analyzes the influence of cavity radius and cavity depth on the bearing temperature performance according to computational fluid dynamics and lubricating theory. It has revealed its temperature distribution law. The simulation results indicate that an improved characteristic can be gotten from a circular cavity hydrostatic thrust bearing, oil cavity temperature decreases by gradually with cavity radius enhancing, oil cavity temperature decreases by gradually with cavity depth. Through this method, the safety of a hydrostatic thrust bearing having circular cavities multi-pad can be forecasted, and the optimal design of such products can be achieved, so it can provide reasonable data for design and lubrication and experience and thermal deformation computation for hydrostatic thrust bearing in the heavy equipment.