Modeling and experimental study of power losses in a rolling bearing

Due to the growing demand for very high performance in aeronautical mechanisms and systems, particular attention must be paid on the bearing modeling and design. In this framework, a fundamental role is played by high peripheral speed and very low power losses. Looking toward this direction, this paper presents an improved model of rolling bearings able to describe the system dynamic behavior and the important effect of different kinds of power losses (friction losses, fluid dynamic losses, etc.). The proposed model is characterized by a high numerical efficiency and allows the investigation of the rolling bearing behavior both under transient and steady conditions. A comparison between the experimental and simulated results is also presented in this paper. The analysis of the results is encouraging and shows a good agreement between experiments and model simulations.