Design Considerations for Directed-Lubrication Thrust Bearings Across a Wide Range of Operating Conditions With a Focus on Pressure Drop in the Oil Supply Path

Directed-lubrication bearings require careful control of the oil flow through the bearing to optimize performance. To do this, an accurate model of the pressure drop within the bearing is needed. This paper presents an equation-based model to compute the pressure drop and compares the model against test data and computational fluid dynamic simulations. We use this model to demonstrate the effects machining tolerances have on the pressure drop within a directed-lubrication thrust bearing. Finally, we discuss the current trend among OEMs to have a single bearing satisfy a range of operating conditions rather than an application specific condition and how this trend dramatically alters directed-lubrication bearing design philosophy.