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Foil bearing performance in liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygenSpace transfer vehicles and other power and propulsion systems require long-life turbopumps. Rolling-element bearings used in current turbopumps do not have sufficient life for these applications. Process fluid foil bearings have established long life, with exceptional reliability, over a wide range of temperatures and fluids in many high-speed turbomachinery applications. However, actual data on bearing performance in cryogenic fluids has been minimal. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and AlliedSignal Aerospace Systems and Equipment (ASE) have attempted to characterize the leaf-type compliant foil bearing in oxygen and nitrogen. The work performed under a joint internal research and development program between Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and ASE demonstrated that the foil bearing has load capacities of at least 266 psi in liquid oxygen and 352 psi in liquid nitrogen. In addition, the bearing demonstrated a direct damping coefficient of 40 to 50 lb-sec/in. with a damping ratio of .7 to 1.4 in. liquid nitrogen using a bearing sized for upper-stage turbopumps. With the results from this testing and the years of successful use in air cycle machines and other applications, leaf-type compliant foil bearings are ready for testing in liquid oxygen turbopumps.
Document ID
19930066266
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Genge, Gary G.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Saville, Marshall
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Gu, Alston
(AlliedSignal Aerospace Systems & Equipment Torrance, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1993
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-2536
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA, SAE, ASME, and ASEE, Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit
Location: Monterey, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: June 28, 1993
End Date: June 30, 1993
Sponsors: ASEE, SAE, ASME, AIAA
Accession Number
93A50263
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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