ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 22 December 2008
Page Count: 12

Thermal Conductance of Ball Bearings in Vacuum: A Review

Takeuchi, Yoshimi R.
The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA

Dickey, James T.
The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA

Eby, Matthew A.
The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA

Davis, Sean E.
The Aerospace Corporation, Los Angeles, CA

(Received 5 May 2007; accepted 13 November 2008)

Abstract

In vacuum, heat transfer across a rotational device is usually governed by conductance across its bearings. The Aerospace Corporation experimentally measured this property and performed parametric studies to gain an understanding of the influence of operational variables such as temperature and preload. This paper explores the findings and compares conclusions presented by both the authors and previous researchers. A thorough literature review was carried out for this purpose. Thermal conductance and its response to operational variables was found to be different between static and moving bearings, as well as lubricated and dry conditions.

Keywords:
bearings, thermal conductance, thermal resistance, solid lubrication, dry, oil lubrication, static, dynamic

Paper ID: JAI101217
DOI: 10.1520/JAI101217
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