Application of MPS Method for Heat Exchange Simulation in Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: Internal Cooling With Gyroid Lattice

Tilting Pad Journal Bearings (TPJBs) are essential components in rotating machines and are widely used in the oil & gas and energy sectors, where they ensure smooth and reliable high-speed operation. In recent years, there has been a strong push to reduce the size of these machines while increasing power density, improving efficiency, and minimizing environmental impact. One effective approach is the implementation of internal cooling within TPJBs, allowing for smaller bearings without compromising load capacity, in line with the trend toward more compact and efficient designs. Additionally, this reduces oil consumption, improving the overall environmental footprint. In particular, internal gyroid lattice structures can significantly enhance cooling performance. However, their complex geometry makes standard CFD-based heat exchange analysis challenging. This study applies the innovative Moving Particle Semi-Implicit (MPS) method to investigate the heat exchange capabilities of different cooled pad designs for TPJBs. Performance is evaluated through both simulations and experiments. The MPS method, based on a Lagrangian approach that tracks individual particles, offers a more flexible alternative to traditional control-volume techniques. While successfully applied in fields such as nuclear and marine engineering, its use in rotordynamics provides new insights into optimizing TPJB designs. Experimental results are used to compare different pad configurations and to address the limitations of the MPS method in this novel application.