Application of CFD Analysis for Rotating Machinery: Part 1 — Hydrodynamic, Hydrostatic Bearings and Squeeze Film Damper

The traditional method for bearing and damper analysis usually involves a development of rather complicated numerical calculation programs that may just focus on a simplified and specific physical model. The application of the general CFD codes may make this analysis available and effective where complex flow geometries are involved or when more detailed solutions are needed. In this study, CFX-TASCflow is employed to simulate various fixed geometry fluid-film bearing and damper designs. Some of the capabilities in CFX-TASCflow are applied to simulate the pressure field and calculate the static and dynamic characteristics of hydrodynamic, hydrostatic and hybrid bearings as well as squeeze film dampers. The comparison between the CFD analysis and current computer programs used in industry has been made. The results show reasonable agreement in general. Some of possible reasons for the differences are discussed. It leaves room for further investigation and improvement on the methods of computation.