Weifeng Yu

Bio: Weifeng Yu is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bearing (mechanical) & Hydrostatic equilibrium. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 2 citations.

CFD-Based Investigation on Effects of Orifice Length–Diameter Ratio for the Design of Hydrostatic Thrust Bearings

Abstract: Orifice-restricted hydrostatic thrust bearings are broadly employed in ultra-precision machine tools, aerospace industries, and so forth. The orifice length–diameter ratio (OLDR) is one of the significant geometrical parameters of the orifice-restricted hydrostatic thrust bearing, which directly affects the performance of the bearing. To accurately guide the design of the hydrostatic thrust bearing, the effect of the OLDR on the performance of the hydrostatic thrust bearing needs to be thoroughly and scientifically investigated, especially for ultra-precision machine tools. In this paper, the influences of various OLDRs are comprehensively studied using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach on the pressure pattern, velocity, turbulent intensity, and vortices, as well as the load capacity, stiffness, volume flow rate, and orifice flow resistance of the hydrostatic thrust bearing under identical operating conditions. The obtained results show that there are differences in performance behaviors of the hydrostatic thrust bearing caused by different OLDRs. Some new findings are obtained, particularly in the second-order small vortices which appear in the annular recesses with all OLDRs except that of 2, and the flow resistance does not always increase with increasing OLDRs. Finally, the proposed CFD approach is experimentally validated.

Design of a Hydrostatic Spindle and Its Simulation Analysis with the Application to a High Precision Internal Grinding Machine

Abstract: Hydrostatic thrust bearings are the core part of the hydrostatic spindle, which is widely used in high precision grinding machines. In this paper, the viscosity-temperature (v-t) characteristics of hydrostatic oil are systematically investigated, which is essential for improving the performance of the hydrostatic thrust bearing and the spindle working at high pressure and high rotational speed. Based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation developed, the performance variation rules of thrust bearing surface are established while changing the oil supply pressure. It is found that the bearing capacity and temperature are obviously affected by varying viscosity-temperature characteristics, which have significant fluctuation phenomenon at the orifice. Furthermore, the turbulence intensity of the taper hole is found the least factor by analyzing four kinds of commonly used orifice type configurations. Finally, comparing the simulation and experimental results, the v-t model developed is proofed well matching with the experiment. The model can provide a basis for accurate design and analysis of hydrostatic thrust bearings and consequently the effective design and analysis of the hydrostatic spindle for high precision grinding machine.

A Novel Geometry Optimization Approach for Multi-Recess Hydrostatic Bearing Pad Operating in Static and low-Speed Conditions Using CFD Simulation

Abstract: Abstract The design of a hydrostatic bearing pad is limited to simple geometry using analytical equations or one-parameter optimization based on experimental data. This study proposes and investigates a new two-parameter method for estimating optimal hydrostatic bearing pad proportions—recess area and position, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In this study, 3D static CFD quarter model of a multi-recess hydrostatic bearing pad assuming laminar flow is used. The CFD model was calibrated based on experimentally obtained results and the literature. The recess pressure and resulting load are evaluated for a variety of recess positions and areas. Performance factors are calculated and interpolated in the MATLAB environment. Using the proposed novel two-parameter optimization, the energetic loss was reduced by 20% compared to the classical one-parameter approach. This methodology allows versatile and effective design of optimal hydrostatic bearings operating in low-speed conditions to achieve minimum energetic loss.

A novel geometry optimization approach for multi-recess hydrostatic bearing pad operating in static and low-speed conditions using CFD simulation

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates a new two-parameter method for estimating optimal hydrostatic bearing pad proportions. The design of a hydrostatic bearing pad is limited to simple geometry using analytical equations or one-parameter optimization based on experimental data. In this study, 3D static CFD model results were verified using analytical results and experimental data on a hydrostatic bearing testing device. The obtained CFD results for load and pressure show a deviation within 5.2% compared to the experimentally obtained results and the literature. Using the proposed novel two-parameter optimisation, the energetic loss was reduced by 30% compared to the classical one-parameter approach. This methodology allows versatile and effective design of optimal hydrostatic bearings operating in low-speed conditions to achieve minimum energetic loss.