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High power and speed are new demands for rotating machinery which needs the journal bearings with high dynamic characteristics. The critical speed of the rotor-bearing system is one of the most significant parameters to evaluate the dynamic characteristics. This paper aims to investigate the theoretical and experimental analysis of a rotor system supported by large diameter elliptical bearings.

To obtain the theoretical and experimental support for rotor-bearing system design, dynamic characteristics theoretical analysis based on the finite difference method is given and an experiment focuses on critical speed identification is carried out.

The theoretical calculation results indicate that the critical speed is near to 800 rpm and there is no large vibration amplitude round working speed (1,500 rpm). Using the test bench in the factory unit, vibration data including three experimental processes are obtained. According to the vibration data, the critical speed is identified which also indicates that it is stable when working at 1,500 rpm.

The design method for the rotor system supported by large diameter elliptical bearing can be obtained by the theoretical and experimental results shown in this paper.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0122/

This paper aims to study the clearance compatibility of active magnetic bearing (AMB) and gas bearing (GB) to achieve a single-structured hybrid gas-magnetic bearing (HGMB), which uses a single bearing structure to realize both the functions of gas bearing and magnetic bearing.

Because the radial clearance size of the AMB is typically ten times larger than that of the GB, radial clearance compatibility of GB and AMB needs to maximize the radial clearance of GB by adjusting structural parameters. Parametric analysis of structural parameters of GB is explored. Furthermore, a general structural design principle based on static analysis, rotordynamic performance and system stability is established for the single-structured HGMB.

Load capacity is vastly reduced due to the enlarged radial clearance of the GB. A minimum clearance needs to be ensured by increasing the bearing diameter or width to compensate for the reduced load capacity, yet indirectly raising the bearing load. Increased bearing load is conducive to stability, yet it raises the risk of rotor abrasion. In addition, excessively large bearing diameter leads to system instability, and inappropriate bearing width affects critical speeds. A general structural design principle is established and the designed HGMB–rotor processes optimal performances.

A single-structured HGMB is proposed to address the urgent demand for high-speed, cryogenic turboexpanders with frequent starts/stops. This design applies a single-bearing structure to realize the characteristics of both GB and AMB, greatly simplifying the implementation, reducing air friction loss and raising critical speeds. This paper provides a fresh perspective on the development of cryogenic turboexpanders for hydrogen liquefaction. It theoretically validates the feasibility and provides a design guide for a single-structured HGMB system.

High power rotating machinery requires large diameter bearings that can perform under extreme conditions. Vibrations and critical speeds of rotor supported by tilting pad journal bearing (TPJBs) exceeding their design limits may cause unit failure. This paper aims to investigate the experimental technique for large diameter bearings.

To obtain the experimental support for rotor-bearing system design, an experiment focusing on vibration monitoring is given. The sensors arrangement, monitoring system and critical speed identification method are provided.

By using test bench in factory unit, a large amount of vibrations data of different working situations is obtained. In addition, a method named non-excitation identification for critical speed is proposed. The critical speed of rotor identified through vibration data is given. The theoretical calculation results are also presented.

The basis for rotor-bearing system design can be obtained through comparisons between the experimental results and the theoretical calculation data.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of misalignment on the static and dynamics characteristics of bump-type foil bearings (BFBs). High-speed and high-temperature oil-free turbomachinery can be realized with the use of gas foil bearings (GFBs). GFBs have a flexible supporting structure; thus, they can tolerate a higher degree of misalignment compared with rolling element bearings.

A test rig for GFBs has been developed to measure the effects of misalignment on the structure characteristics of bump-type foil bearings. The link-spring model, which is the foil structure model presented previously by the authors, is used as a basis in the present study to predict the static and dynamic performances of the foil structure. In general, predictions of the dynamic characteristics exhibit good agreement with the measurements acquired from the dynamic load tests.

Results from the static tests show that GFBs develop high stiffness when the misalignment angle increases. Moreover, the dynamic characteristics of GFBs are identified by considering the test bearing supported by a non-rotating shaft as a one-degree-of-freedom system. The results indicate that the dynamic characteristics of GFBs strongly depend on excitation frequency and excitation amplitude because of the variation in the dynamic friction force within the foil structure. The structural stiffness and equivalent viscous damping increase with an increase in the misalignment angle.

The present study focuses on the misalignment of GFBs and investigates experimentally the effects of misalignment on the structure characteristics of GFBs.

Hydrostatic thrust bearing is a key component of the vertical CNC machining equipment, and often results in friction failure under the working condition of high speed and heavy load. The lubricating oil film becomes thin or breaks because of high speed and heavy load and it affects the high precision and stable operation of the vertical CNC machining equipment; hence, it is an effective way of avoiding friction failure for achieving the oil film shape prediction

For the hydrostatic thrust bearing with double rectangular cavities, researchers solve the deformation of the friction pairs in hydrostatic bearing by using the computation of hydrodynamics, elasticity theory, finite element method and fluid-thermal-mechanical coupled method. The deformation includes heat deformation and elasticity deformation, the shape of gap oil film is got according to the deformation of the friction pairs in hydrostatic bearing, and gets the shape of gap oil film, and determines the influencing factors and laws of the oil film shape, and achieves the prediction of oil film shape, and ascertains the mechanism of friction failure. An experimental verification is carried out.

Results show that the deformation of the rotational workbench is upturned along its radial direction under the working condition of high speed and heavy load. However, the deformation of the base is downturned along its radial direction and the deformation law of the gap oil film along the radius direction is estimated; the outer diameter is close but the inner diameter is divergent wedge.

The conclusion can provide a theoretical basis for the oil film control of hydrostatic thrust bearing and improve the stability of vertical CNC machining equipment.

This paper aims to study the static characteristics of the hydrostatic conical journal bearings by utilizing single-action membrane restrictors to compensate the working pressures of recesses.

The flow resistance network method is used to analyze the influences of load capacity and static stiffness of bearing with the design parameters, including the number of recesses, radial eccentricity ratio, axial displacement ratio, restriction constant, membrane compliance, length-diameter ratio, circumferential land width ratio, axial land width ratio and half of cone angle.

This study shows the infinite stiffness of the oil produced in the first and second recesses while single-action membrane restriction constant of 2 and 3, respectively, as well as in the fourth recess while single-action membrane restriction constant of 0.01 and 0.1, respectively.

This article provides the hydrostatic conical bearings in static and unbiased states for analyses of design parameters. The analyses ignore dynamic pressure effect and do not use the Reynolds equation, and assuming that each oil recesses pressure is constant.

The influences of the design parameters including the number of recesses, membrane restriction, membrane compliance, length-diameter ratio, half of con-angle, circumferential land width ratio, and axial land width ratio are discussed to the load capacity and static stiffness of conical bearing.

Based on the characteristics of the conical bearing through analysis, this article suggests the front bearing with hard membrane restrictor (capillary) and the back bearing with soft membrane restrictor are the most appropriate for axial stiffness.

Orthopaedic implants, such as intervertebral disc endoprostheses (IDEs) are difficult to manufacture by means of conventional methods because of their complex shape. However, technologies developed in recent years, such as selective laser melting, could simplify this process. Although this method is attractive in both manufacturing and rapid prototyping of IDEs, little is known about their tribological performance. The functional aim of the work is to conduct a tribological evaluation of the ASTM F75 alloy after selective laser melting process and to investigate the viability of the technology in IDE design. The research aim was an explanation of the wear mechanism of bearing surfaces with respect to the reference material.

In this paper, the tribological test results of a lumbar IDE prototype fabricated by selective laser melting and forging is presented and compared. The endoprostheses were fabricated from commercially available ASTM F75 powder using a selective laser melting device. As a reference material, a forged ASTM F1537 LC alloy was used. Comparative wear and friction tests were carried out with the use of a unique spine simulator.

The obtained results confirm the viability of the selective laser technology in endoprosthesis design. Unfortunately, poorer tribological wear resistance of endoprostheses produced by means of selective laser melting (SLM) technology compared with that of the reference material calls into question the possibility of using these technologies in the manufacturing process of endoprosthesis' components exposed to tribological wear.

This paper presents the friction and wear behaviour of the lumbar IDE prototype. The tests were carried out in motion and loading conditions close to those we observe in the lumbar spine.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a method permitting the creation of a realistic model of spherical roller bearing with the aim of determining contact stress and fatigue life based on dynamic loading conditions. The paper also aims to recognize the effect of tolerance values on contact stress and fatigue life. Motion and load transmission in spherical roller bearing occurs within the assembly by elliptical curved contacting surfaces. The stress produced by the transmitted load would be very high because of least contacting area between these surfaces.

The paper describes a methodology to determine contact stress using analytically as well as finite element method for spherical roller bearing. The comparison for the both each approach for contact stress at different loading condition is carried out. Prediction of fatigue life based on dynamic loading conditions for bearing is also determined using finite element model. The effect on induced contact stress and fatigue life by varying tolerances on inner race dimensions have been found out.

The paper suggests that the maximum stress produces at the start or end of the contacting arc under static loading condition in spherical roller bearing. The analytical and finite element approach is in good agreement. The fatigue life prediction is useful for selecting loading conditions for various applications of double row spherical roller bearing. Tolerance level at inner ring raceway radius is kept high because of manufacturing constrain of complex curvature geometric shape.

The present approach does not consider dynamic loading conditions for contact stress analysis. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to analyze the effect of wear, lubrication and other tribological aspects on bearing life.

The paper includes determination of contact stress and prediction of fatigue life for spherical roller bearing using analytical as well as finite element approach. The tolerance values at inner race are identified as per manufacturing constraint based on contact stress and fatigue life.

This paper seeks to present some new designs of sliding bearings lubricated with magnetic fluids (ferrofluids) and the possibility of using them in modern bearing technology, in new computer and audiovisual equipment among others.

The paper presents new designs of journal, thrust and journal‐thrust sliding bearings lubricated and sealed with magnetic fluids such as: magnetic fluid bearing bushing made of magnetizable material, pivot bearings with porous sleeve impregnated with ferrofluid, self‐aligning bearings, hydrodynamic ferrofluid bearings with spiral and herringbone grooves structure are presented. Moreover, examples are shown of applications in modern bearing technology.

The paper provides information about new designs of magnetic fluid sliding bearings assemblies and gives the main advantages of these bearings over conventional ball bearings, such as extremely low non‐repetitive run‐out (high‐accuracy of rotation), good damping and quietness of operation, maintenance free service and high reliability.

This paper offers some new designs of compact, low friction and self‐contained magnetic fluid sliding bearings and points up their practical applications.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the calculation problem of the real carrying capacity of slewing bearings. The selection of slewing bearing to heavy-duty machine according to catalogue carrying capacity and also according to locally determined real carrying capacity is insufficient and it can be the cause of the damage of machine during exploitation.

The concepts of the local, total and general capacities is defined. The general capacity is a logical product of the local capacities. It is particularly useful in an analysis of slewing bearings incorporated into machines with complex structures. The FEM is applied in computations. The formation method of the mathematical model of a bearing is presented.

The computations of the local capacities and general capacity of a bearing for the limiting load of the bearing traces and the limiting tension of the bolts fastening the bearing were carried out. Considerations were illustrated by an example of the bearing of a mobile crane.

The paper presented in the methodology of the calculation of general bearing carrying capacity and the obtained results of calculations can be used already by designers of bearings and machine engines to elimination of the potential damages of machine on the stage of projecting.

The general capacity of a bearing into machines with complex and irregulars structure is considerably lower than the bearing catalogue capacity and then the local teal capacity. The reasons for the differences between the catalogue capacity and the general capacity of slewing bearings were given.