Bearing Dynamics of Turbochargers

Introduction

To support the rotor in the operation, the bearing system including the thrust and radial bearings is necessary for turbochargers. The impulse forces of fluids in the wheels and pressures acting on the compressor and turbine wheels cause the axial thrust on the rotor that depends on different working conditions. Hence, the axial thrust is balanced by the thrust bearing to keep the rotor stable in the axial direction. On the contrary, the radial bearings induce the bearing forces to balance the unbalance forces acting upon the rotor in the radial direction.