Measurements to Quantify the Effect of a Reduced Flow Rate on the Performance of a Tilting Pad Journal Bearing With Flooded Ends

Operation of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) with a reduced flow decreases pumping costs and oil sump storage. A low supplied oil flow improves system energy efficiency by reducing drag power losses, albeit the temperature rise in both the bearing pads and the lubricating oil become a concern. This paper presents measurements of the static and dynamic load performance of a flooded ends TPJB lubricated with an ISO VG 46 oil supplied at 60 °C, and with a flow rate ranging from 150% to just ∼5% of a nominal supply condition. The flow range covers both over-flooded and starved flow conditions. The test bearing is a four-pad, 102 mm diameter, center pivot, with single orifice feeds, and configured with end seals to flood the bearing housing. The experiments include operation at two shaft speeds = 6 krpm and 12 krpm (= 64 m/s surface speed) and under three specific loads = 0.345 MPa, 1.03 MPa, and 2.07 MPa applied in between pads (LBP). The measurements show the bearing drag power loss decreases by nearly 20% when the flow rate drops to 50% of nominal. However, halving the flow produces a raise in pad subsurface temperatures, ∼7 °C for operation at 12 krpm. Flow reduction below 50% does result in even more substantial power savings; however, it also produces too hot pad temperatures that approach 130 °C, a known limit for Babbitt material safe operation. The bearing static eccentricity (e) and direct stiffnesses Kxx