Effect of external loads on cage stability of high-speed ball bearings

Abstract

In high-speed ball bearings, external load has a great effect on cage stability and sliding ratio, especially for the bearings at work in the starting process. For this paper, a dynamic model of high-speed ball bearings was developed, and cage stability both under steady conditions and during the starting process was analyzed based on the model. The effect of external load on cage stability was evaluated taking into consideration the two different working conditions. The results show that cage stability is worse in the beginning of the bearing starting process. According to the investigation of cage stability on different external loads, it can be concluded that the axial load greatly influences cage dynamic performance in the bearing starting process. In addition, while ball bearings worked under steady conditions, axial load and radial load both have a great influence on cage dynamic performance. The effects of axial load on cage dynamic performance during the bearing starting process are opposite from the effects under steady conditions.