Influence of Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication on the Life and Operation of Turbine Engine Ball Bearings. Bearing Design Manual

Abstract : This report is a self contained manual describing the rationale, use and predictive accuracy of an advanced state-of-the-art ball bearing analysis computer program. This program embodies mathematical models describing the lubricant's role in bearing behavior that were developed or adopted for this purpose. Mathematical descriptions of these models are set forth along with a detailed description of the program's organization, method of solution and convergence criteria. Input data preparation forms and program output are discussed in detail and examples of each are included. Comparisons are given of the program's predictions and the values of heat generation rate, film thickness, and cage and ball rotational speeds measured in tests of a 125-mm bore angular-contact ball bearing operating at various axial loads at speeds up to 3,100,000.DN. Parametric runs of the program in which key variables are systematically altered are included and interpreted.