Combined thrust radial bearing of a submarine main shaft – Design and analysis of failure. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wasilczuk, Michał; Wasilczuk, Filip
• Is Part Of: Engineering failure analysis. Volume 115(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Submarine -- Tilting pad thrust bearing -- Bearing failure -- Autonomous lubricating system; System failures (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Reliability (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Pannes -- Périodiques; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fiabilité -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Reliability (Engineering); System failures (Engineering); Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2020.104651
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-6307

Abstract

Highlights: Failure of submarine thrust bearing was analyzed. Calculations reveal that the maximum load of the bearing was not exceeded. Engineering calculations point to insufficient oil flow at low temperature as the cause of failure. Surface inspection and numerical calculations prove this hypothesis. Possible means of increasing oil flow are presented. Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the combined thrust radial bearing of a submarine propulsion shaft. The lubrication system of the bearing is based on a fixed ring. The efficiency of the lubrication system depends on the shaft speed and temperature, which affects oil viscosity. In turn, the thrust bearing load also depends on the rotational speed of the shaft, because as the speed increases, the drag of the ship increases simultaneously, but this increase in load is accompanied by the increase of load capacity of the hydrodynamic thrust bearing. The analysis made it possible to assess the causes of bearing failure and formulate recommendations for bearing operation.