On the Static Running Accuracy of Ball Bearings

Abstract

The quasi-static vibratory analysis of a rotor supported by ball bearings is presented. The system is an ideal ball bearing in which the inner ring moves in the radial plane with two degrees of freedom under a constant radial load. The motion of the inner ring centre due to ball revolution, which has been known as the Perret-Meldau problem since the 1950s, is analysed in detail. The results show that the inner ring motion has complicated features and changes drastically with the design and operating conditions. All computed results are arranged in a numerical table and in charts. They represent a complete package for the estimation of the magnitudes and characteristics of the inner ring motion, and may be used in the design process to examine the rigidity, the critical speed, and vibratory nature of a rotor.