Mixed lubrication performance analysis of a novel water-lubricated thrust bearing considering transient thermal, cavitation, and turbulence

The aerospace temperature-controlled pump serves as the sole power source for the nuclear-powered cooling loop, with its service life and friction power consumption being critical to the equipment's stability. This paper introduces a novel water-lubricated polyetheretherketone thrust bearing with spiral grooves in response to the performance flaws of traditional hybrid ceramic ball bearings characterized by short service life, poor impact resistance, and severe wear. A transient thermal mixed lubrication model considering transient thermal, cavitation and turbulence effects is established, and the effects of lubrication structure, environmental condition and startup mode on the performance of the new bearing are investigated. The results show that the spiral angle, tilt angle, and ambient pressure significantly affect frictional power consumption and temperature rise characteristics, and optimizing lubrication structure and startup mode helps reduce friction power consumption. The research results have important theoretical significance for the leapfrog development of space thermal control fluid mechanical pumps.