Michell Pad Apparatus

A set of thirteen graduated tubes show the oil pressure across and along the film under the pad. The bench-mounting unit has an aluminium plate (pad) mounted above a continuous loop flat belt. This creates a pressurised film of oil between the pad and the belt. The belt runs in an oil reservoir to provide a continuous supply of oil under the pad. 
Students vary the belt speed to find the relationship between sliding speed, oil viscosity and pressure distribution. Included is a variable speed control to control the speed of the motor that turns the belt. 

Experiments:
Pressure distributions in a tilting pad bearing.
The relationship between pressure and the film thickness at the trailing edge of the pad.
Influence of sliding speed and viscosity on the pressure distribution in the bearing and comparison with calculations based on Reynolds equation.

Operating Conditions:
Operating environment: Laboratory
Operating relative humidity range: 80% at temperatures < 31C decreasing linearly to 50% at 40C
Storage temperature range: 25C to +55C (when packed for transport)
Operating temperature range: +5C to +40C.