Simulation Research on Gap Flow of Circular Cavity Multi-pad Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing

A simulation research concerning the gap flow performance of multi-pad hydrostatic thrust bearing having circular cavities in the large-scale vertical CNC lathe was described. The Finite Volume Method of Fluent has been used to compute fluid three-dimensional velocity field and pressure field of gap flow between the revolution working table and bearing pad. This study theoretically analyzes the influence of cavity area on the bearing performance according to computational fluid dynamics and lubricating theory. It has revealed its flow distribution law. The simulation results indicate that an improved characteristic can be gotten from a circular cavity multi-pad hydrostatic thrust bearing, oil cavity pressure increases by gradually with cavity area enhancing, pressure reaches extremely large value in some location, decreases gradually by degrees, the effect of cavity area on the velocity is very small . Through this method, the safety of a hydrostatic thrust bearing can be forecasted, and the optimal design of such products can be achieved.