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.