Study on bearing mechanical and thermal characteristic evolvement rules affected by higher ambient temperature

In this paper, the bearing mechanical characteristics and thermal characteristics as it is running under constant speed (2400 r/min) and constant temperature (100 ℃) adopting bearing mechanical-thermal coupling model built on the basis of quasi-statics and elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory are discussed. Among which, the contact deformation between ball and inner/outer ring has same evolution law, besides, the same as the amplitude. Whose curve shape changes in the form of “circular-oblique D”, its amplitude rearches minimum value at 10thd3h between the location of 120° and 270°. The curve shapes belonging to contact angular between ball and inner/outer ring are similar to “circular”. There is opposite trend of them within the range of 90-300°. The amplitude of contact angular between ball and outer ring is the minimum at 10thd3h and 11thd1h. At the same time, the amplitude of that between ball and inner ring is the maximum. The evolution rules of contact stiffness between ball and inner/outer ring are generally consistent, which are similar to “crab”. But the amplitude of that between ball and outer ring is dominant. The maximum value of them occurs at 10thd3 and 11thd1h. The evolvement tendency of node temperatures maintains stable. Thereinto, the temperature of inner ring equals to that of contact location between ball and inner ring, which is the maximum value. It is obvious that ME, MD, MS, MCB, MCR and MOil devote themselves to heat production, the contribution rates of ME, MS, MCB and MCR are 100 %, the contribution rate of MD ranges from 52.6 % to 65.2 %. However, the amplitudes of friction moments have the opposite trend compared to “heat contribution factor”. The expansion amount owing to heat production is dominant in displacement variation and the effect of clearance on displacement can be ignored, whose evolution rules are contrary. The evolution rules of oil film thickness and oil film stiffness between ball and inner/outer ring are alike. Among which, the oil film thickness between ball and outer ring is dominant, its maximum value emerges at 10thd3h. The curve shapes of oil film stiffness between ball and outer/inner ring are oblique “D”, their amplitudes reach the maximum at 11thd1h-11thd3h.