Transient thermal analysis of grease-lubricated spherical roller bearings

• A transient thermal model is developed for a grease-lubricated SRB.
• The grease rheological behaviour is described with a four-parameter model.
• The transient thermal model of the greased SRB is validated with experiments.
• Speed, and other operating parameters, have large effect on bearing׳s temperature.

Based on the local heat source analysis approach, a mathematical model for accurately calculating heat generation rate of grease-lubricated spherical roller bearings (SRBs) is established. The transient thermal model for a grease-lubricated SRB-shaft-bearing housing system is developed by using a thermal network method. The transient thermal model for the grease-lubricated SRB-shaft-bearing housing system is numerically solved and the results show a good agreement with the experiment results. Effects of some parameters on the temperature rise of grease-lubricated SRBs are analysed. The results show that larger rotating speed, radial load and grease filling ratio result in higher bearing temperature rise.