Computer-aided selection of materials for cryogenic turbopump bearingsThe life requirement for the angular contact ball bearings in the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) high-pressure-oxygen turbopump (HPOTP) is 7.5 hours. In actual operation, significantly shorter service life has been experienced. The objective of this current program is to identify bearing materials and/or materials processing techniques offering significant potential for extending HPOTP bearing performance life. A thermomechanical analysis of the HPOTP shaft/bearing system was performed with the SHABERTH (SHaft-BEaring-THermal) computer program. Bearing fatigue life, ball-race contact stress, heat generation rate, bulk ring temperatures, and circumferential stress in the inner rings were quantified as functions of radial load, thrust load, and ball-race contact friction. The analysis results were used to formulate criteria that are being used for the selection of special materials for future turbopump bearings.
Document ID
19860026352
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Maurer, R. E. (SKF Industries, Inc. King of Prussia, PA, United States)
Pallini, R. A. (SKF Industries, Inc. King of Prussia, PA, United States)