LAUSR

To rapidly adjust the real-time performance of tilting-pad journal bearings (TPJBs), a novel variable preload TPJB is proposed, and its Thermo-Elasto-Hydro-Dynamic (TEHD) lubrication model with consideration of the variable preload factor is developed. Taking the six-pad TPJBs for the high-pressure rotor in a 1000 MW steam turbine as the object, a comparative study is conducted on the performance of TPJBs with and without considering the TEHD lubrication effect, which indicates that the influence of TEHD lubrication needs to be fully considered in the case of preload variation, and the maximum calculation errors with the non-considering TEHD lubrication effect can be up to 88.5%. When the preload factor increases from 0.1 to 0.3, the load capacity of TPJBs is increased by approximately 50%. As the preload factor of the upper pads (both pad-2 and pad-6) changes, it can effectively improve the dynamic characteristic coefficients of TPJBs. By increasing the preload factor of secondary load-bearing pads (both pad-3 and pad-5) from 0.1 to 0.3, the oil film pressure, temperature, and deformation of the main load-bearing pad have increased about 90%, 10%, and 45%, respectively. The research results are aimed at the flexible and rapid adjustment of preload TPJBs.