Influence of the Lubricant's Supply Temperature on the Operation of a Fluid Film Thrust Bearing.

The temperature at which lubricant is supplied to the film on a fluid film fixed pad thrust bearing in a centrifugal or screw compressor is investigated. Sm2Px3Txτ software is employed for the calculations; this software implements a periodic thermoelastohydrodynamic model of bearing operation. The thermal balance of the bearing is described. The maximum temperature of the lubricant film and boundary layer, the power loss, and the carrying capacity are investigated as a function of the temperature of the incoming lubricant and the working gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]