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Oil-free heat pumps that use the system refrigerant gases as lubricants are preferred for thermal management in future space applications. This study aims to numerically and experimentally investigate the static performance of externally pressurized thrust bearings lubricated with refrigerant gases.

The refrigerant gases R22, R410A and CO₂ were chosen as the research objects, while N₂ was used for comparison. Computational fluid dynamics was used to solve the full 3 D Navier–Stokes equations to determine the load capacity, static stiffness and static pressure distribution in the bearing film. The numerical results were experimentally verified.

The results showed that the refrigerant-gas-lubricated thrust bearings had a lower load capacity than the N2-lubricated bearings, but they presented a higher static stiffness when the bearing clearance was less than 9 µm. Compared with the N2-lubricated bearings, the optimal static stiffness of the R22- and CO2-lubricated bearings increased by more than 46% and more than 21%, respectively. The numerical and experimental results indicate that a small bearing clearance would be preferable when designing externally pressurized gas thrust bearings lubricated with the working medium of heat pump systems for space applications.

The findings of this study can serve as a basis for the further investigation of refrigerant gases as lubricants in heat pump systems, as well as for the future design of such gas bearings in heat pump systems for space applications.

The porous bearings are commonly used in slider thrust bearings owing to their self-lubricating properties and cost effectiveness as compared to conventional hydrodynamic bearings. The purpose of this paper is to numerically investigate usefulness of porous layer in hydrostatic thrust bearing operating with magnetic fluid. The effect of magnetic field and permeability has been analysed on steady-state (film pressure, film reaction and lubricant flow rate) and rotor-dynamic (stiffness and damping) parameters of bearing.

Finite element approach is used to obtain numerical solution of flow governing equations (Magneto-hydrodynamics Reynolds equation, Darcy law and capillary equation) for computing abovementioned performance indices. Finite element method formulation converts elliptical Reynolds equation into set of algebraic equation that are solved using Gauss–Seidel method.

It has been reported that porosity has limited but adverse effects on performance parameters of bearing. The adverse effects of porosity can be minimized by using a circular pocket for achieving better steady-state response and an annular/elliptical pocket, for having better rotor-dynamic response. The use of magnetic fluid is found to be substantially enhancing the fluid film reaction (53%) and damping parameters (55%).

The present work recommends use of circular pocket for achieving better steady-state performance indices. However, annular and elliptical pockets should be preferred, when design criteria for the bearing are better rotor-dynamic performance.

This study deals with influence of magnetic fluid, porosity and pocket shape on rotor-dynamic performance of externally pressurized thrust bearing.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0289/

This paper gives a review of the finite element techniques (FE) applied in the analysis and design of machine elements; bolts and screws, belts and chains, springs and dampers, brakes, gears, bearings, gaskets and seals are handled. The range of applications of finite elements on these subjects is extremely wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore the aim of this paper is to give FE researchers/users only an encyclopaedic view of the different possibilities that exist today in the various fields mentioned above. An Appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on finite element applications in the analysis/design of machine elements for 1977‐1997.

This paper aims to study the inertia squeeze film characteristics between ferrofluid-lubricated circular stepped disks. Owing to the development of modern machine systems, the application of ferrofluids has received great attention. Because the circular disks are a special situation of circular stepped squeeze films, a further study of fluid inertia force effects on the ferrofluid-lubricated circular stepped squeezing mechanism is motivated.

On the basis of the ferrohydrodynamic flow model of Shliomis incorporating the momentum integral method, the effects of fluid inertia forces in ferrofluid-lubricated circular stepped squeeze films in the presence of external magnetic fields are investigated in this study. Analytical solutions of squeeze film performances are derived.

The fluid inertia force effects provide an increased load capacity and a longer squeeze film time for the ferrofluid-lubricated circular stepped squeeze film, especially for a larger value of the inertia parameter, the Langevin parameter and the volume concentration and a smaller value of the radius ratio and the step height ratio.

For engineering applications, numerical tables for squeeze film loads of circular stepped disks are also provided in this paper.

The purpose of this paper is to test and analyze the friction torque of double-row angular contact ball bearings under vacuum or ordinary pressure environment, horizontal or upright installation mode, and different rotational speeds, and to provide theoretical bases for the development of aerospace equipment.

The experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of vacuum or ordinary pressure environment, horizontal or upright installation mode and different rotational speeds on bearing friction torque. To explore the relationship between working conditions and bearing friction torque, firstly, based on the generation source of friction torque, the test principle was determined, a test system was developed and the reliability of data was verified. Secondly, the friction torque of bearing was tested, and the values under various working conditions were obtained. Finally, this paper compared and discussed the test results.

The test results show that the friction torque value of vacuum environment horizontal installation condition is the largest at different rotational speeds, and the rotational speed has the most significant influence on the friction torque.

The friction torque test system of double-row angular contact ball bearing under vacuum environment was designed and built. The influence rules of vacuum or ordinary pressure environment, horizontal or upright installation mode and different rotational speeds on bearing friction torque were obtained.

The peer review history for this article is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ILT-08-2023-0259

Bearings of either the rolling or sliding type form an integral part of most moving machinery and their lubrication has been the subject of much research. Until quite recently, lubricants have generally taken the form of oil or grease and it is only in the last ten to fifteen years that the use of air in this field has really been considered. In many applications, in the nuclear power and missile field, for example, it has been found that conventional lubricants do not meet the demands of high temperature, radio‐active environments, etc., and this has stimulated research into the subject of air, or more generally, gas bearings.

THE MAIN objective of this work is to reveal the performance characteristics of sliding externally pressurized rectangular bearings and to get an adequate understanding of the behaviour of such bearings.

In this study, a rectangular, externally pressurized bearing, lubricated by incompressible fluid, and compensated by a capillary restrictor, is analysed. The analysis includes an investigation into the effect of initial tilting of the pad, and the introduction of a step in the pad surface.

THIS PAPER presents a study of the performance characteristics of finite width stationary externally pressurized rectangular bearings. Two types of bearings are considered, namely, the plain and initially tilted pad bearings. The bearings were lubricated by using incompressible fluid. The study includes:

This paper emphasises the importance of designing bearings for minimum power dissipation and temperature rise. Criteria are given which enable a designer to arrive at optimum values of any parameter for his particular bearing application.