Housing and Bearing Deformation Interaction of Large Size Bearings

Abstract:
The traditional studies [1, 3] of bearing deflection and load cannot consider the interaction of bearing deflections at radial, axial and tilting directions. Swashplate bearings, rotor bearings, and etc. are usually of large size and mounted on flexible bearing housing, it makes the housing and bearing deform in all directions. The interaction between housing and bearing races is no longer negligible. On the other hand, modeling contact status between rolling elements and bearing race way in the housing-bearing assembly finite element model is too complicated and not practical for engineering analyses. In this study, multi-scale finite element model is developed for the system with rolling element bearings to investigate the interaction of housing and bearing race deformations. Rolling elements are simplified as spring element to make the system level finite element model executable. Hertzian contact theory is employed to determine roller compression non-linear stiffness. Clearance and preload can be considered in the stiffness curve. The result provides correct stiffness and load distribution for housing design. FEA submodel is used for local detailed roller contact analysis. It provides detailed bearing contact analysis of interested individual roller for detailed bearing design.

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