Effect of Turbulence on Properties of Fluid Film in Tilting Pad Journal Bearing

An analytical model has been developed to analyse the effect of turbulence in fluid flow in TPJB on fluid film properties. A four pad centrally pivoted tilting pad journal bearing has considered for analysis. The infinite short bearing assumption has taken for determination of fluid film pressure distribution. The fluid film forces with turbulence effect find out by replacement of the numerical integration with the corresponding pressure distribution with a differentiation method which found to be less computational costly. The indigenous Matlab (TM) code has made for investigation purpose. Change in fluid film properties presented in the form of plots concerning journal eccentricity ratio and journal rotation speeds. Investigation showed that turbulence in oil flow influences the circumferential and axial pressure, fluid film forces and bearing stiffness and damping coefficients.