Thermal Effects in Liquid Oxygen Hydrostatic Journal Bearings

Abstract

Numerical predictions for static performance and rotordynamic coefficients for a roughened stator LO₂ HJB operating at typical conditions in the SSME HPOTP are presented. The calculations are performed for an adiabatic THD model and an isothermal flow model. The two flow models predict almost identical static and dynamic performance characteristics, even though large temperature increases and fluid property variations in the bearing fluid film are predicted by the THD model. However, a high temperature rise across the bearing affects not only the liquid properties but also the bearing geometry. A parametric study shows a strong impact of bearing clearance variations on the bearing performance and, hence, the importance of thermal effects becomes evident.

Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers paper at the STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in Kissimmee, Florida, October 8–11, 1995

KEY WORDS:

• Journal Bearings
• Hydrostatic Bearings

Notes

Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers paper at the STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in Kissimmee, Florida, October 8–11, 1995