Experiments With Water-Lubricated Tapered-Land Thrust Bearings

Experiments were made to determine the load-carrying ability of water-lubricated, tapered-land, carbon thrust bearings. Nine different bearings having various combinations of radial and circumferential tapers were tested. As was expected, the degree of taper had a profound effect on performance of those bearings tested. One design was able to carry a load of 110 psi (present load limit of test machine) at speeds of 860, 1725, and 3450 rpm. The lubricant used in this test was distilled water. The range of its viscosity was from 0.72 to 0.96 centipoises.