The paper introduces a thermohydrodynamic (THD) model for prediction of gas foil bearing (GFB) performance. The model includes thermal energy transport in the gas film region and with cooling gas streams, inner or outer, as in typical rotor-GFBs systems. The analysis also accounts for material property changes and the bearing components’ expansion due to temperature increases and shaft centrifugal growth due to rotational speed. Gas inlet feed characteristics are thoroughly discussed in bearings whose top foil must detach, i.e., not allowing for subambient pressure. Thermal growths determine the actual bearing clearance needed for accurate prediction of GFB forced performance, static and dynamic. Model predictions are benchmarked against published measurements of (metal) temperatures in a GFB operating without a forced cooling gas flow. The tested foil bearing is proprietary; hence, its geometry and material properties are largely unknown. Predictions are obtained for an assumed bearing configuration, with bump-foil geometry and materials taken from prior art and best known practices. The predicted film peak temperature occurs just downstream of the maximum gas pressure. The film temperature is higher at the bearing middle plane than at the foil edges, as the test results also show. The journal speed, rather than the applied static load, influences more the increase in film temperature and with a larger thermal gradient toward the bearing sides. In addition, as in the tests conducted at a constant rotor speed and even for the lowest static load, the gas film temperature increases rapidly due to the absence of a forced cooling air that could carry away the recirculation gas flow and thermal energy drawn by the spinning rotor; predictions are in good agreement with the test data. A comparison of predicted static load parameters to those obtained from an isothermal condition shows the THD model producing a smaller journal eccentricity (larger minimum film thickness) and larger drag torque. An increase in gas temperature is tantamount to an increase in gas viscosity, hence, the noted effect in the foil bearing forced performance.
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e-mail: lsanandres@tamu.edu
e-mail: thk@kist.re.kr
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April 2010
Research Papers
Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Bump Type Gas Foil Bearings: A Model Anchored to Test Data
Luis San Andrés,
Luis San Andrés
Mast-Childs Professor
Fellow ASME
Turbomachinery Laboratory,
e-mail: lsanandres@tamu.edu
Texas A&M University
, College Station, TX 77843-3123
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Tae Ho Kim
Tae Ho Kim
Senior Research Scientist
Energy Mechanics Research Center,
e-mail: thk@kist.re.kr
Korea Institute of Science and Technology
, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Songbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea 136-791
Search for other works by this author on:
Luis San Andrés
Mast-Childs Professor
Fellow ASME
Turbomachinery Laboratory,
Texas A&M University
, College Station, TX 77843-3123e-mail: lsanandres@tamu.edu
Tae Ho Kim
Senior Research Scientist
Energy Mechanics Research Center,
Korea Institute of Science and Technology
, 39-1 Hawolgok-dong, Songbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea 136-791e-mail: thk@kist.re.kr
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 2010, 132(4): 042504 (10 pages)
Published Online: January 26, 2010
Article history
Received:
March 24, 2009
Revised:
March 30, 2009
Online:
January 26, 2010
Published:
January 26, 2010
Citation
San Andrés, L., and Kim, T. H. (January 26, 2010). "Thermohydrodynamic Analysis of Bump Type Gas Foil Bearings: A Model Anchored to Test Data." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 2010; 132(4): 042504. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3159386
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