Performance of a Spherical Hybrid Thrust Bearing Considering the Influence of Surface Irregularities and MR Lubricant Behavior

Abstract

This article describes the finite element modeling of a spherical hybrid thrust bearing (SHTB), taking into account the influence of three-dimensional surface irregularities and magnetorheological (MR) lubricant behavior. The rheological behavior of MR lubricant was described using the Herschel–Bulkley model, and the yield shear stress relationship of MR fluid was expressed using the asymmetrical sigmoidal function. The finite-element method (FEM) is used to solve the governing Reynolds equation for an irregular surfaced SHTB configuration along with the orifice restrictor equation. The findings of the study indicate that the performance of the SHTB is improved by considering the three-dimensional (3-D) surface irregularities and operating with MR fluid at the expense of power loss due viscous friction. The percentage increase in the value of dynamic coefficients ($\overline{S}$) and ($\overline{C}$) due to the coupled effect of MR fluid and three-dimensional surface irregularity (${\overline{h}}_a=0.125$) on the spherical hybrid thrust bearing is of the order of 52.37% and 71.22%, respectively, at ${\epsilon }_y=0$ and $I=2A.$

Keywords:

• MR lubricant
• surface irregularities
• spherical hybrid thrust bearing
• rheology