A study on the lubrication mechanism at thrust slide-bearing of scroll compressors

摘要

This study focuses on the effect that a pressure difference across the orbiting thrust plate of a thrust-slide bearing has on the improved lubrication of the bearing in scroll compressor applications. A thrust slide-bearing model submerged in a refrigerant oil VG-56 was operated under pressurized conditions using R-22 as the pressurizing gas, where the pressure difference across the friction surface of the thrust bearing was adjusted from 0 to 1.0MPa and the friction force and friction coefficient at the thrust slide-bearing were measured over a range of orbiting speeds. As a result, significant improvement in lubrication at the thrust slide-bearing due to the pressure difference was identified. Furthermore, careful observation of the wear state of the thrust slide-bearing revealed the formation of a fluid wedge between the sliding surfaces due to axial loadings. This fluid wedge appears responsible for the observed improvement in lubrication.