Simulation and experiment on pressure field characteristics of hydrostatic hydrodynamic hybrid thrust bearings

Purpose This paper aims to improve the bearing capacity of hydrostatic thrust bearing under working conditions of high speed and heavy load; a new wedge-shaped structure opened on an edge of oil seal is put forward, the loss and insufficiency for hydrostatic bearing capacity are made up by using dynamic pressure, and then, hydrostatic hydrodynamic lubrication is realized. Design/methodology/approach Oil film three-dimensional models of unidirectional and bi-directional hydrostatic hydrodynamic oil pad are established by using UG. The oil film pressure fields of two kinds of oil pad are simulated by using ANSYS ICEM CFD and ANSYS CFX; the pressure fields distribution characteristics are obtained, and the effects of workbench rotary speed and bearing weight on pressure field are analyzed. Also, the experimental verification is made. Findings The results demonstrate that with an increase in workbench rotary speed, the oil film pressure of two kinds of hybrid oil pad increases gradually, and the maximum pressure of the bi-directional one accounts for 95 per cent of the unidirectional one when the load is constant. With an increase in load, the oil film pressure of two kinds of hybrid oil pad increases gradually, the difference between them is 9.4 per cent under the condition of load of 25 t when the rotary speed is constant. Originality/value The paper can provide theoretical basis for a structure design of hybrid thrust bearing under different rotary speed and load conditions, and compensate the shortage of static pressure-bearing capacity by using dynamic pressure, improve the stability of vertical CNC machining equipment.