Thrust Bearing

Thrust bearings
Support the axial thrust of both horizontal

as well as vertical shafts
Functions are to prevent the shaft from

drifting in the axial direction and to transfer
thrust loads applied on the shaft
Vertical thrust bearings also need to

support the weight of the shaft and any
components attached to it
The moving surface exerted against a thrust

bearing may be the area of the end of the
shaft or the area of a collar attached at any
point to the shaft
Types of thrust bearings
Plain thrust: Consists of a stationary

flat bearing surface against which the
flat end of a rotating shaft is permitted
to bear Flat end of rotor
ROTOR
Axial movement
Bearing surface
Thrust bearing- flat land type
They handle light loads for simple positioning of
rotors
They are usually used in conjunction with other
types of thrust bearings
They carry 10 to 20% of the overall axial load
Bearing surface sometimes incorporated with oil
grooves that help store and distribute oil over the
surface
ROTOR
Oil grooves for
storing and
distributing oil
over the surface
Thrust bearing- step type
Step bearing: Consists of a raised or stepped
bearing surface upon which the lower end of a
vertical shaft or spindle rotates
The entire assembly is submerged in lubricant
Stepped bearings are either designed to undergo
hydrodynamic lubrication or are lubricated
hydrostatically (external pump)
ROTOR Wedge formation or

pressurized oil
supply
Bearing
Thrust bearing- hydrostatic type
These depend on an external pump to provide oil
under pressure to form a load-bearing film
between surfaces
Used in equipment with extremely low speeds as
a hydrodynamic film cannot form
ROTOR
Bearing surface
Oil under pressure,

supplied by pump
Thrust bearing- collar type
Oil supply
Bearing
surface
Collar type
Shaft rotates
Shaft
Loads are borne by the

Collar
bearing surface that comes in
contact with the collar which is Shaft moves in axial
attached to the shaft direction too
Thrust bearing- tilting pad type
(Michell type)
The surfaces are at an angle to each
other
One surface is usually stationary
while the other moves
Undergoes hydrodynamic lubrication,
therefore formation of a wedge of
lubricant under pressure
The amount of pressure build up
depends on the speed of motion and
viscosity
The pressure takes on axial loads
Thrust bearing- Tilting pad type
Propeller
Collar Pushes ship forward
Direction of
rotation
Bearing
plate
Pivot
Tilting pad rotates

Oil wedge around the pivot (angle
Shaft of tilt varies)
Back thrust from water to propeller causes

axial loading on the shaft
Axial loads are opposed by pressure buildup
Axial loads from machinery being driven
in the wedge
In this case thrust from propeller
Gives a damping effect
Passes on thrust to the ship
Tilting thrust bearings- basic geometry
h1 = distance of separation at leading edge
h2 = distance of separation at trailing edge
Leading U = velocity of lower pad in the x direction

edge B = bearing breadth
Z
x The film thickness h at any point is given by:
x
h h1 (h1 h2 )
B
h1
h
h2
Trailing
edge
B
U
X
Height ratios
h h h , therefore h x
Let 1 (1 K ) K 1 2 1 K K
or h2 h 2 h2 B
The expression for pressure gradient was derived earlier as
Z dp h ho
6 U 3
dx h
Where p is the pressure
is the coefficient of dynamic
h1 viscosity
h ho is the separation distance at max.
h2
pressure
U is the velocity of the bottom
surface
U Top surface is stationary
X
Making the equation non-
dimensional
Let A = ho/h2 such that ho = Ah2
Substituting this and the value of h in terms of x we get
2
h2 dx Adx
dp
6U (1 K Kx / B ) 2 (1 K Kx / B) 3
dp h2 (1 K Kx / B) h2
On rearranging we get: 6U 3
dx (1 K Kx / B) 3 h2
Let x* = x/B, a dimensionless length, so that
2
h2 dx* A
dp dx *
6U (1 K Kx * ) 2 (1 K Kx * ) 3
Pressure distribution equation
Now h22/UB has the dimensions of (pressure)-1 so it is possible to

write (h22/6UB)p as p*, the non-dimensional pressure. The equation
therefore becomes
*
dx A
dp
*
dx *
...(12)
(1 K Kx ) (1 K Kx )
* 2 * 3
This is Reynolds equation in non-dimensional form applied to

inclined pads. Integration gives the pressure distribution. On
integration we get:
*
dx A
p
*
C...(13)
(1 K Kx ) (1 K Kx )
* * 2
Applying boundary conditions
*
dx A
p
*
C
(1 K Kx ) (1 K Kx )
* * 2
A and C are constants of integration. In order to evaluate them the value of

pressure is required at two specific positions. This, in the case of a pad, is
taken as the ambient pressure at the leading and trailing edges, where the
pressure curve starts and stops. These pressures are usually considered as
zero. Therefore the conditions are:
p = 0 at x = 0, and x = B
Non-dimensionalizing we get, p* = 0 at x* = 0 and x* = 1 (since x* = x/B)
First putting p* = 0 at x* = 0, we get:
1 A
0 C
K (1 K ) 2K (1 K ) 2
Obtaining the constants of
integration
Then putting p* = 0 at x* = 1, we get:
1 A
0 C
K 2K
The above two equations can be solved to give:
C
1 2(1 K )
K (2 K ) and A
2K
1 2K 1 K
Thus: p
*
1
K (2 K ) (1 K Kx ) (1 K Kx * ) 2
*
Which can be simplified to give:

Kx * (1 x * )
p
*
...(14)
(1 K Kx ) (2 K )
* 2
Maximum pressure
The max. dimensionless pressure po* occurs when dp/dx =
0, h = ho, and x = xo.
ho 2(1 K )
Now, A
h2 (2 K )
xo 1 K * K
x o and p o
*
Therefore
B 2K 4(1 K )(2 K )
Load carried
Integration of the pressure across the bearing gives the load carried per unit
length, W/L
W B 6UB2 1 * *
L
pdx
0 2
ho
p dx
' 0
(as x* = x/B)
2
W .h2 1
6UB 2 L 0
So p *
dx * which can be defined as the non-
dimensional load W*.
1
Thus 1 K 2
K (2 K )(1 K Kx ) K (2 K )
2 *
W
*

K log e (1 K Kx )
*
(1 K ) x* 0
Which reduces to 1 log e (1 K ) 2

W*
K K 2K
Tilting pad bearing- expression for
load
h2 U
Now (6W )
* 2
B W /L
Therefore W / L h2
2
W
*
. 2
6U B
1/ 2
h2 6 log e (1 K ) 2 U
...(14)
B K K 2 K W /L
This equation was first derived by Reynolds for a fixed

inclined surface
Height variation with pivot point
The ratio h1/h2 = (1+K) is determined by the position of the

pivot point Upper pad rotates around the pivot point
Pivot point
Z
The position of the
pivot point is found by
taking moments about
the leading edge.
For stability it should be
h1 x at the center of
h pressure
h2
Velocity U
X

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What are the different types of thrust bearings discussed in the document?

What are the different types of thrust bearings discussed in the document?

How does a hydrostatic thrust bearing work?

How does a hydrostatic thrust bearing work?

Thrust bearings

Support the axial thrust of both horizontal

Functions are to prevent the shaft from

Vertical thrust bearings also need to

The moving surface exerted against a thrust

Plain thrust: Consists of a stationary

ROTOR Wedge formation or

Oil under pressure,

Loads are borne by the

Tilting pad rotates

Back thrust from water to propeller causes

Leading U = velocity of lower pad in the x direction

Now h22/UB has the dimensions of (pressure)-1 so it is possible to

This is Reynolds equation in non-dimensional form applied to

A and C are constants of integration. In order to evaluate them the value of

Which can be simplified to give:

dimensional load W*.

Which reduces to 1 log e (1 K ) 2

This equation was first derived by Reynolds for a fixed

The ratio h1/h2 = (1+K) is determined by the position of the

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