A method of temperature monitoring in fluid film bearings

In the present paper a method to improve temperature monitoring of fluid film bearings is described. The method is tested in an industrial tilting pad thrust bearing. Test results for steady state and transient operating conditions are reported. Temperatures monitored by a thermocouple through the utilisation of the proposed method are compared to those measured by thermocouples in the pad backing and in the collar. The method is also tested on a PTFE-faced bearing. Test results show that the proposed method improves sensitivity to thermal transients in conventional babbitted bearings and provides adequate means of temperature monitoring in the PTFE-faced bearings.