Influence of Elastic Deformations of Turbo-Generator Tilting Pad Bearings on the Static Behavior and on the Dynamic Coefficients in Different Designs

The load on the larger tilting pad bearing can be as high as 10⁶ N. With such high static loads, pad and pivot distortions and thermal effects in the lubricant cannot be neglected. This paper analyzes the influence of the deformation of the pads and pivots on the static and dynamic behavior of typical turbo-generator tilting pad bearings used in actual operating conditions. Thermal and pressure distortions are compared. The hydrodynamic pressures and lubricant temperatures are computed with a three-dimensional model. Thermal and elastic pad and pivot distortions are obtained with a three-dimensional finite element model.