Key
1565
Conference Year
2014
Keywords
Frictional Coefficient, EHL, Optimization, Thrust Slide-Bearing, Scroll Compressor
Abstract
Previous studies [Refs. 1, 2] revealed the formation of a uniform oil wedge at the periphery of the thrust plate, caused by the elastic deformation of the orbiting thrust plate due to the pressure difference across the orbiting thrust plate, is a significant factor in the high lubrication performance in thrust slide-bearings. In addition to the uniform wedge formation, the high oil film pressure also induces a local elastic deformation of the fixed thrust plate normal to its surface. The normal thrust plate deformation and the oil wedge effectively form an elasto-hydrodynamic-lubrication (EHL) pocket, even more effectively increasing the oil film pressure between the sliding surfaces, due to the envelopment of the oil, as confirmed in our companion paper [3], and an earlier, less-detailed contribution [4]. The present study focuses on aspects of EHL that have both positive and negative effects on the lubrication performance of the thrust slide-bearings in scroll compressors. Theoretical calculations using the average Reynolds equation and Patier-Chen solid contact theory, for the boundary of the local elastic deformation of the thrust slide-bearing, were conducted for a small cooling capacity scroll compressor driven at 3600 rpm with 0.1 kW. An approximate method was developed using characteristic curves to determine the oil film axial force, the average oil film thickness, the frictional force and the frictional coefficient. The calculations considered a variety of pressure differences due to the operation pressure and the thickness of thrust plate. Also cases with a fixed uniform wedge angle at the periphery were calculated. The calculated results suggest a possible maximum reduction in frictional coefficient of about 55% compared to that with a fixed uniform wedge angle. The reduction rate increases with decreasing thrust plate thickness, which, however, restricts the operation pressures to a lower pressure range. Design guidelines for optimizing EHL will be suggested. References: [1] Oku, T., Ishii, N., Anami, K., Knisely, C.W., Sawai, K., Morimoto, T., Hiwata, A. : Theoretical Model of Lubrication Mechanism in the Thrust Slide-Bearing of Scroll Compressors, HVAC&R Research Journal ASHRAE Vol.14, No.2, pp.239-358, 2008-3. [2] Ishii, N., Oku, T., Anami, K., Knisely, C.W., Sawai, K., Morimoto, T., Iida, N. : Experimental Study of the Lubrication Mechanism for Thrust Slide Bearings in Scroll Compressors, HVAC&R Research Journal ASHRAE Vol.14, No.2, 2008-4. [3] Ishii, N., Tsuji, T., Anami, K., Nokiyama, K., Morimoto, T., Sakuda, A., Oku, T., Sawai, K., Knisely, C.W., : “Hydrodynamic-Pressure-Induced Elastic Deformation of Thrust Slide-Bearings in Scroll Compressors and Oil Film Pressure Increase Due to Oil Envelopment,” abstract submitted to 2014 Purdue Herrick Conferences. [4] Ishii, N., Tsuji, T., Oku, T., Anami, K., Knisely, C.W., Nokiyama, K., Morimoto, T., Sakuda, A., Sawai, K. 2012 “Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication Effect in Thrust-Slide Bearings of Scroll Compressors,” 2012 Purdue Conference Paper on (Paper 1438).