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Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power | Volume 131 | Issue 2 | Research Paper
Research Papers: Gas Turbines: Structures and Dynamics

A General Purpose Test Facility for Evaluating Gas Lubricated Journal Bearings

[+] Author and Article Information
B. Ertas

Rotating Equipment Group, Vibration and Dynamics Laboratory, GE Global Research Center, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY 12309ertas@research.ge.com

M. Drexel

Rotating Equipment Group, Vibration and Dynamics Laboratory, GE Global Research Center, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY 12309drexel@crd.ge.com

J. Van Dam

Rotating Equipment Group, Vibration and Dynamics Laboratory, GE Global Research Center, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY 12309vandam@research.ge.com

D. Hallman

Rotating Equipment Group, Vibration and Dynamics Laboratory, GE Global Research Center, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, NY 12309hallman@crd.ge.com

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power 131(2), 022502 (Dec 19, 2008) (8 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2979004 History: Received December 05, 2007; Revised June 22, 2008; Published December 19, 2008
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The present work describes the detailed design and operational capabilities of a general purpose test facility developed to evaluate the dynamics and performance of gas lubricated journal bearings. The component level test facility was developed to serve as an initial tollgate test platform for certifying gas lubricated journal bearings into aircraft engine applications. A rotating test rig was engineered to test 70–120 mm diameter bearings at 40,000–80,000 rpm and 1200°F. The test rig described in this paper possesses design elements that enable the simultaneous application of dynamic and static load profiles of up to 1000 lb while monitoring and measuring the bearing torque. This capability allows for the characterization of several critical metrics such as bearing lift off speed characteristics, load capacity, and frequency dependent rotordynamic force coefficients. This paper discusses the functionality of the test facility and presents sample test measurements from several experiments.
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References

1
Spring, S. D., Kaminske, M., Leone, S., Drexel, M. V., Ertas, B. H., Ames, E. C., Agarwal, G., Burr, D., and Brophy, M., 2006, “Application of Compliant Foil Air Bearings for Oil Free Operation of Advanced Turboshaft Engines,” "Proceedings of the American Helicopter Society 62nd Annual Forum", Phoenix, AZ, May 8–11, Vol. III , pp. 2070–2075.
2
Hagg, A. C., and Sankey, G. O., 1974, “The Containment of Disk Burst Fragments by Cylindrical Shells,” ASME J. Eng. Power, 96 , pp. 114–123.
3
Ertas, B. H., and Vance, J. M., 2004, “The Effect of Static and Dynamic Misalignment on Ball Bearing Radial Stiffness,” J. Propul. Power, 20 (4), pp. 634–647.
4
Ertas, B. H., Al-Khateeb, E. M., and Vance, J. M., 2002, “Rotordynamic Bearing Dampers for Cryogenic Rocket Engine Turbopumps,” J. Propul. Power, 20 (4), pp. 674–682.
5
Heshmat, H., 1994, “Advancements in the Performance of Aerodynamic Foil Journal Bearings; High Speed and Load Capability,” ASME J. Tribol.  [CrossRef], 116 , pp. 287–295.
6
Dellacorte, C., 1997, “A New Foil Air Bearing Test Rig for Use to 700°C and 70,000 rpm,” NASA Technical Report No. TM-107405.
7
Howard, S. A., Dellacorte, C., Valco, M. J., Prahl, J. M., and Hesmat, H., 2001, “Steady-State Stiffness of Foil Air Journal Bearings at Elevated Temperatures,” Tribol. Trans.  [CrossRef], 44 (3), pp. 489–493.
8
Howard, S. A., Dellacorte, C., Valco, M. J., Prahl, J. M., and Hesmat, H., 2001, “Dynamic Stiffness and Damping Characteristics of a High Temperature Air Foil Journal Bearing,” Tribol. Trans., 44 (4), pp. 657–663.
9
San Andres, L., 2006, “Hybrid Flexure Pivot-Tilting Pad Gas Bearings: Analysis and Experimental Validation,” ASME J. Tribol.  [CrossRef], 128 , pp. 551–558.
10
Lee, Y. B., Park, D. J., and Kim, H., 2006, “Numerical Analysis for Bump Foil Journal Bearing Considering Top Foil Effect and Experimental Investigation,” "Proceedings of the IFToMM-Conference on Rotor Dynamics", Vienna, Austria, Sept. 25–28, Paper No. 229.
11
Rouvas, C., and Childs, D., 1993, “A Parameter Identification Methods for the Rotordynamic Coefficients of a High Reynolds Number Hydrostatic Bearing,” ASME J. Vibr. Acoust.  [CrossRef], 115 , pp. 264–270.
12
Childs, D. W., and Hale, K., 1994, “A Test Apparatus and Facility to Identify the Rotordynamic Coefficients of High Speed Hydrostatic Bearings,” ASME J. Tribol.  [CrossRef], 116 , pp. 337–334.

Figures

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+Test facility layout (dimensions in millimeters)
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Test facility layout (dimensions in millimeters)
Figure 1

Test facility layout (dimensions in millimeters)

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+Test rig cross section
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Test rig cross section
Figure 2

Test rig cross section

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+Floating end and fixed end bearing pedestal cross sections
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Floating end and fixed end bearing pedestal cross sections
Figure 3

Floating end and fixed end bearing pedestal cross sections

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+Air buffer seal design and oil mist flow path
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Air buffer seal design and oil mist flow path
Figure 4

Air buffer seal design and oil mist flow path

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+Fixed-end rotor vibration: long rotor waterfall plot at 1200°F
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Fixed-end rotor vibration: long rotor waterfall plot at 1200°F
Figure 5

Fixed-end rotor vibration: long rotor waterfall plot at 1200°F

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+Bearing housing installed in the test rig with the torque measuring device
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Bearing housing installed in the test rig with the torque measuring device
Figure 6

Bearing housing installed in the test rig with the torque measuring device

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+Example start-up and shutdown bearing torque signature
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Example start-up and shutdown bearing torque signature
Figure 7

Example start-up and shutdown bearing torque signature

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+Load capacity test: example output
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Load capacity test: example output
Figure 9

Load capacity test: example output

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+High temperature test setup: long rotor with the carriage housing assembly
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High temperature test setup: long rotor with the carriage housing assembly
Figure 10

High temperature test setup: long rotor with the carriage housing assembly

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+Gas lubricated test bearing setup for rotordynamic characterization
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Gas lubricated test bearing setup for rotordynamic characterization
Figure 11

Gas lubricated test bearing setup for rotordynamic characterization

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+Example X direction pseudorandom forced excitation measurements
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Example X direction pseudorandom forced excitation measurements
Figure 12

Example X direction pseudorandom forced excitation measurements

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+Asynchronous rotordynamic force coefficients: example results
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Asynchronous rotordynamic force coefficients: example results
Figure 13

Asynchronous rotordynamic force coefficients: example results

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+Load capacity test setup
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Load capacity test setup
Figure 8

Load capacity test setup

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