A Comparison of Film Temperatures and Oil Discharge Temperature for a Tilting-Pad Journal Bearing

Abstract

An experimental program was conducted to relate bearing film temperatues to oil discharge temperature. Results for a five-shoe tilting-pad journal bearing show that film temperatures are substantially higher and more sensitive to load and speed changes than is discharge oil temperature. Conversely, film temperature is less sensitive to changes in flow. It was also noted that the rate of change of film temperature is significantly greater than the rate of change of discharge oil temperature when the bearing is subjected to load change, which is a desirable characteristic for a monitoring and control system. These results should provide a more rational basis for the evaluation of bearing performance when film temperatures are reported.