A 3D CFD simulation of oil spray-collection and delivery process in an aeroengine inter-shaft bearing

Under-race lubrication applied to the inter-shaft bearing of aeroengine is characterized by spray oil collection and oil delivery to the bearing via flow-path structure. Droplet splashing induced by the collision between spray oil and the scoop as well as oil flowing characteristics in the flow-path influence bearing lubrication efficiency. In previous investigations, the spray oil collection and oil delivery analysis were separated, and the effect of droplet splashing on bearing lubrication efficiency was not considered. Moreover, time-varying characteristics of oil delivered to the bearing were not accounted for. This is caused by time variations of the circumferential position of rollers and under-race feed holes. To overcome these limitations, a numerical model which integrates the spray oil collection and oil delivery analysis is proposed in this paper. The model is embedded with the function of calculating the flow rate of splashing droplets and analyzing time-varying characteristics of the oil fed to the bearing. Furthermore, the numerical model is validated by experimental investigation. The proposed numerical model facilitates the accurate calculation of bearing lubrication efficiency as well as the design of an efficient lubrication structure.