Dynamic characteristics of rigid-elastic-liquid-coupled ball bearings considering elastohydrodynamic lubrication

The nonlinear characteristics of aero-engine spindle bearings remain unclear. To better reveal these characteristics, a ball bearing coupled with an elastic-ring squeeze film damper (ERSFD) and a squirrel cage was investigated in this work. With the elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory, a dynamic equation for a rigid-elastic-liquid-coupled ball bearing under high-speed and high-axial-load conditions was established. The Runge–Kutta method and the iterative Newton–Broyden method were applied to solve the coupling equation. The effects of the axial load and bearing speed on the bearing capacity and dynamic stiffness were analyzed. The dynamic characteristics of its bearing outer ring operating at different speeds and axial loads were studied through a numerical analysis. Finally, the theoretical model was tested and verified. The results indicated that the axial load and bearing speed significantly affect its bearing capacity and dynamic stiffness. Its vibration reduction performance of the bearing at a relatively low bearing speed and high axial load was relatively good when considering elastohydrodynamic lubrication. This work lays some references for optimal design of the spindle bearings of aero-engines.