Evolutionary Optimisation of the Thrust Bearing Considering Multiple Operating Conditions in Turbomachinery

journal article in Web of Science

en

Thrust bearings are an essential part of rotating machines, significantly impacting their overall efficiency. The bearings must be designed to have optimal properties under the preferred operating conditions and be able to operate under off-design operating conditions occurring exceptionally. The available literature presents various possibilities for optimising bearing performance, but a method of including various operating conditions has not been introduced. The presented solution uses an optimisation of the thrust bearing that is based on genetic algorithms in combination with an efficient computational model of thrust bearing lubrication and heat transfer. The presented evolutionary optimisation approach makes it possible to design a bearing with exceptional performance under both specific and extreme operating conditions. The optimisation approach is applied in the development of a prototype thrust bearing and bearing friction losses decreased by approximately 30% compared to a serial bearing. At the same time, there is no significant decrease in the bearing ability to operate under off-design operating conditions. The prototype bearing designed using this approach reduced the mechanical losses of the entire turbocharger by approximately 20%.

Thrust bearings are an essential part of rotating machines, significantly impacting their overall efficiency. The bearings must be designed to have optimal properties under the preferred operating conditions and be able to operate under off-design operating conditions occurring exceptionally. The available literature presents various possibilities for optimising bearing performance, but a method of including various operating conditions has not been introduced. The presented solution uses an optimisation of the thrust bearing that is based on genetic algorithms in combination with an efficient computational model of thrust bearing lubrication and heat transfer. The presented evolutionary optimisation approach makes it possible to design a bearing with exceptional performance under both specific and extreme operating conditions. The optimisation approach is applied in the development of a prototype thrust bearing and bearing friction losses decreased by approximately 30% compared to a serial bearing. At the same time, there is no significant decrease in the bearing ability to operate under off-design operating conditions. The prototype bearing designed using this approach reduced the mechanical losses of the entire turbocharger by approximately 20%.

Thrust bearing; multiple operating conditions; hydrodynamic lubrication; genetic algorithms; turbocharger.

01.04.2021

Elsevier B.V.

0020-7403

195

2021

1–13

13