Some Standard and Special Self Contained Bearing Designs

Synopsis

This paper discusses some of the methods available for the circulation of oil in self contained bearings and their cooling. Three specific designs are considered and used to illusatrate how both standard and very special requirements can be satisfied.

Recent innovatory design work includes the use of heat pipes for oil cooling and the development of a unique self-pressurised low power loss bearing. These features may find wider application in future projects.

Introduction

The objective of self contained bearings is to supply a product to a performance specification which is able to provide itself with a continuous supply of cool oil for the bearing surfaces. The bearing has to be able to carry out from within its own engineered resources the functions of circulating and cooling an amount of oil fixed within the bearing. There are a ramge of techniques available to assist in fulfilling these functions. Oil curculation is often achieved for example by fixed or loose rings dipping into the sump and conveying oul from these to the top of the bearing. In many cases water is available as a cooling medium and may be introduced into the bearing casing using suitably designed cooling tubes.

In this paper a number of methods useful in self-contained bearings are discussed by tolerence in three specific designs. These designes have been chosen to illustrate both some of the range of ideas available to meet standard requirements and also how it is possible with new design thinking to accept very special duties.