Ball Bearing Dynamic Stiffness Prediction Methodology

This research article presents a methodology for predicting the dynamic stiffness of ball bearings, specifically addressing the uncertainties associated with the positions of rolling elements. The study outlines the challenges in accurately calculating ball bearing stiffness due to the variable circumferential positions of rolling elements and the physical effects of rotating components. It introduces a novel approach that simultaneously considers these positions, utilizing various formulations of dry and lubricated contact, validated through finite-element modeling. The algorithms developed enable the calculation of resulting stiffness based on different positions of the rolling elements. The paper further validates the proposed method against experimental data, demonstrating its accuracy compared to traditional methods that only consider a single position. Additionally, it provides recommendations for engineers working in turbomachinery dynamics, emphasizing the importance of accurate stiffness calculations in rotor dynamics modeling. The findings contribute to the ongoing development of analytical methods in rolling element bearing modeling, particularly in the context of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication.