TY  - GEN
N2  - At the beginning of the twentieth century, the introduction of A.G.M. Michell?s tilting pad bearing solution revolutionised naval thrust block design and performance. Even with today?s modern designs, the fundamental concept remains unchanged, a testament to the relative simplicity and reliability of his elegant solution. The tilting pad bearing solved the inherent limitations, problems and power losses associated with the preceding multi-collar fixed geometry designs.

One aspect of thrust block design that continues universally today is the use of tin-based whitemetal (Babbitt) as the lining material of choice for bearing tilting pads. While whitemetal has proven successful since its conception in 1839, its physical characteristics introduce limitations on naval thrust block design in terms of size and performance. In recent years, interest in, and research into, polymer lined tilting pad bearings has increased as opportunities for improved performance and efficiency continue to be sought. Polymers such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) have been shown to provide much improved specific load capability and reduced coefficients of friction compared to whitemetal.

This paper reviews the potential benefits of using polymer lined tilting pads in naval thrust block designs, providing reference to previous experimental work. A typical generic operating envelope and shaft diameter are then used to develop thrust block designs as a case study covering use of different pad lining materials.

By utilising the advantages of polymer lined tilting pads a significant improvement in bearing performance, propulsion system efficiency and signature reduction is shown resulting in reduced thrust block size, weight, power loss and breakout torque; improved minimum continuous speed capability and the lack of requirement for high pressure oil injection jacking systems.
DO  - 10.24868/10637
DO  - doi
AB  - At the beginning of the twentieth century, the introduction of A.G.M. Michell?s tilting pad bearing solution revolutionised naval thrust block design and performance. Even with today?s modern designs, the fundamental concept remains unchanged, a testament to the relative simplicity and reliability of his elegant solution. The tilting pad bearing solved the inherent limitations, problems and power losses associated with the preceding multi-collar fixed geometry designs.

One aspect of thrust block design that continues universally today is the use of tin-based whitemetal (Babbitt) as the lining material of choice for bearing tilting pads. While whitemetal has proven successful since its conception in 1839, its physical characteristics introduce limitations on naval thrust block design in terms of size and performance. In recent years, interest in, and research into, polymer lined tilting pad bearings has increased as opportunities for improved performance and efficiency continue to be sought. Polymers such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and PEEK (Polyetheretherketone) have been shown to provide much improved specific load capability and reduced coefficients of friction compared to whitemetal.

This paper reviews the potential benefits of using polymer lined tilting pads in naval thrust block designs, providing reference to previous experimental work. A typical generic operating envelope and shaft diameter are then used to develop thrust block designs as a case study covering use of different pad lining materials.

By utilising the advantages of polymer lined tilting pads a significant improvement in bearing performance, propulsion system efficiency and signature reduction is shown resulting in reduced thrust block size, weight, power loss and breakout torque; improved minimum continuous speed capability and the lack of requirement for high pressure oil injection jacking systems.
AD  - Michell Bearings
T1  - Thrust block performance improvements using polymer lined tilting pads
DA  - 2022-08-30
AU  - Butler, J
L1  - https://library.imarest.org/record/10637/files/INEC_2022_paper_47%20%281%29.pdf
JF  - Conference Proceedings of INEC
VL  - INEC 2022
PY  - 2022-08-30
ID  - 10637
L4  - https://library.imarest.org/record/10637/files/INEC_2022_paper_47%20%281%29.pdf
KW  - Hydrodynamic bearings
KW  - Thrust bearings
KW  - Thrust blocks
KW  - Marine propulsion
KW  - Polymers
KW  - PTFE
KW  - PEEK
TI  - Thrust block performance improvements using polymer lined tilting pads
Y1  - 2022-08-30
L2  - https://library.imarest.org/record/10637/files/INEC_2022_paper_47%20%281%29.pdf
LK  - https://www.imarest.org/events/category/categories/imarest-event/international-naval-engineering-conference-and-exhibition-2022
LK  - https://library.imarest.org/record/10637/files/INEC_2022_paper_47%20%281%29.pdf
UR  - https://www.imarest.org/events/category/categories/imarest-event/international-naval-engineering-conference-and-exhibition-2022
UR  - https://library.imarest.org/record/10637/files/INEC_2022_paper_47%20%281%29.pdf
ER  -