Introduction to Small-Size Bearings in Oil Film Bearings.

Oct 17, 2024

Oil film bearings, as radial sliding bearings with lubricating oil as the medium, play a vital role in various types of mechanical equipment, especially in heavy equipment such as rolling mills. Its unique structure and working principle enable oil film bearings to perform well under heavy loads, high-speed rotation and complex working conditions. This article will focus on the small-size bearings in oil film bearings and explore their structural characteristics, working principles, advantages and application areas.

Structural characteristics of small-size bearings

As a key component of oil film bearings, small-size bearings have a compact design and fine structure. Generally speaking, oil film bearings are composed of two parts, a tapered sleeve and a bushing, while small-size bearings specifically refer to the parts of these components that are relatively small in size and have higher precision requirements. These bearings are usually made of high-strength, high-wear-resistant materials, such as alloy steel, stainless steel or special alloys, to ensure stability and durability under harsh working conditions.

Small-size bearings have various geometric shapes, including round, elliptical and tilting pads. Among them, the tilting pad sliding bearing has been favored in high-end applications in recent years because its pads can be adjusted with the position of the journal, thereby maintaining the stability of the oil film and improving the bearing capacity. In addition, the surface treatment of small-sized bearings is also crucial, such as the use of precision grinding, spraying wear-resistant coatings and other technologies to improve their wear resistance and service life further.

Working principle

The working principle of the oil film bearing is based on the principle of fluid dynamics. During the rolling process, due to the action of the rolling force, the roller journal moves, resulting in eccentricity between the center of the oil film bearing and the center of the journal. This eccentricity causes the gap between the bearing and the journal to form a divergent zone and a convergent zone. When the rotating journal brings the lubricating oil from the divergent zone to the convergent zone, due to the gradual reduction of the gap, an oil wedge effect is formed, which generates pressure in the lubricating oil. The combined force of this pressure along the rolling direction is the bearing capacity of the oil film bearing.

For small-sized bearings, due to their small size, the control of the oil film thickness is more precise. Under high-speed rotation and heavy-load conditions, small-size bearings need to ensure that the oil film thickness is always kept within a reasonable range to avoid direct metal contact and bearing damage caused by oil film rupture. Therefore, the design of small-size bearings often pays more attention to the optimization of the lubrication system and the precise control of the oil film thickness.

Advantages and Application Fields

The application of small-size bearings in oil film bearings has significant advantages. First, its compact structure and precise size control make the bearing as a whole lighter and more flexible, suitable for occasions with limited space. Secondly, the high wear resistance and stability of small-size bearings ensure the long-term stable operation of bearings under harsh conditions, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. In addition, small-size bearings also have good vibration resistance and rotation accuracy, which helps to improve the overall performance of mechanical equipment.

In terms of application fields, small-size bearings are widely used in heavy equipment such as rolling mills, continuous casting machines, papermaking machines, and textile machinery. Especially in the field of rolling mills, small-size bearings have become key components for supporting the rotation of rollers and transmitting rolling forces with their excellent load-bearing capacity and stability. At the same time, with the continuous advancement of industrial technology and the improvement of automation, the application of small-size bearings in precision machinery, aerospace and other fields is becoming more and more extensive.

In summary, as an important part of oil film bearings, small-size bearings play an irreplaceable role in heavy equipment and precision machinery. Its unique structural characteristics, working principles and significant advantages enable it to maintain stable operating performance under various complex working conditions. With the continuous development and innovation of industrial technology, the design and application of small-size bearings will continue to be optimized and improved.