Comparison of power loss and pad temperature for leading edge groove tilting pad journal bearings and conventional tilting pad journal bearings

A study was undertaken to compare power loss and pad temperature characteristics between LEG (leading edge groove) tilting pad journal bearings and conventional tilting pad journal bearings with and without a seal tooth. All test bearings were double tilting type with six-pad LOP (Load On Pad), 300.6 mm inner diameter, and 120.0 mm effective length. Pad temperatures and power losses were compared and evaluated versus rotor rotational speed, oil flow rate, and static load. Four kinds of tilting pad journal bearings were evaluated, conventional tilting pad journal bearings with and without a seal tooth and LEG tilting pad journal bearings with and without a seal tooth.Test results indicate that tilting pad journal bearings without a seal tooth have lower power loss and pad temperature than tilting pad journal bearings with a seal tooth. Especially, conventional tilting pad journal bearing without a seal tooth has the lowest power loss and pad temperature among the test bearings.