Influence of Variable Depth Surface Texture on the Performance Behaviours of Sector Shape Pad Thrust Bearing

Performance behaviours of oil-lubricated sector shape pad thrust bearings incorporating the variable depth's pockets/textures have been presented. The variable depth texture comprises of combination of grooves and pockets. Fixed depth pocket, variable depth pocket (depth of the pocket reducing towards the exit) and combination of fixed and variable depth pocket with the fixed and variable depth grooves have been considered in the present investigation. With the aim to improve the performance parameters of fixed pad thrust bearing, the effect of texture parameters such as pocket/groove depth, the circumferential extent of texture and different combinations of variable depth's pocket and grooves have been investigated. Substantial improvement in the performance parameters (minimum film thickness and coefficient of friction) has been achieved in the presence of proposed textures having variable depths of micro-geometries.