What do radial bearing and pressure bearing mean in physics?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the definitions and implications of "radial bearing" and "pressure bearing" (also referred to as thrust bearing) in the context of physics. Participants explore the roles these bearings play in supporting structures and forces, particularly in mechanical systems.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that a radial bearing supports against radial forces, while a pressure bearing is designed to handle forces along the shaft axis.
  • Another participant provides examples, stating that a pressure bearing could be used in a blender's shaft, whereas a radial bearing might be used for a car's driveshaft.
  • A participant describes the mechanics involved when a weight is applied to a platform, explaining how the forces interact with the bearings, specifically noting that the radial bearing prevents rotation while the pressure bearing is compressed against a wall.
  • One participant attempts to clarify their understanding using vector notation, asking if their representation of forces is correct.
  • Another participant responds to the vector notation, indicating that the vectors at one bearing are correct, but the vectors at the other should be perpendicular to the drawn vector.
  • A participant expresses understanding that "radial" implies allowing movement along the Y-axis rather than restricting it, indicating a clarification of their earlier confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present varying interpretations of the definitions and functions of radial and pressure bearings, with no clear consensus reached on the nuances of their applications or the vector representations discussed.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the precise definitions of the bearings and the implications of the forces acting on them, as well as the accuracy of the vector representations discussed.

Femme_physics
Gold Member
Messages
2,548
Reaction score
1
What do "radial bearing" and "pressure bearing" mean in physics?

(This is NOT a homework question)

I am told that this board is supported by two bearings: Radial bearing C, and pressure bearing O. Then they write something I can't even begin to translate, it looks as though it's written in really bad Hebrew, and over-technical language for our level. I'll try to translate it:

The pressure bearing from the cable added to the radial forces the forces acting acting along the y axis.


http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/4516/thehelle.jpg

What do "radial bearing" and "pressure bearing" mean in physics?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org


I believe a radial bearing is just a standard bearing that supports against radial forces, while a pressure bearing (more often called a thrust bearing) is designed to take a force along the shaft axis as well.
 


I think EWH is correct. So a pressure bearing would for example be for the shaft of a blender used for baking, and a radial bearing would be for the driveshaft of a car.
 


To make it more obvious from the picture look at what happens when you put a weight on that platform. The rope between B and D is offset from the Y axis. So the weight will create a force pulling C away from the wall while O is pressed tight against the wall (Though there are many other counter forces as well). Without bearing C it would rotate away from the wall and O is merely being compressed against the wall. Hence the radial and pressure labels.


Since the distance between O and B is greater than O and A (113.137) the greater the distance between O and D the more free it will be to rotate without the bearings to prevent it. It comes down the the fact that a force exist pulling C away from the wall rotating the platform (radial bearing), but O will not.
 
Last edited by a moderator:


If you are specifying the forces provided by the bearings on the shaft OC, then the vectors at O look correct, but the vectors at C should only be the two perpendicular to the one you drew (xz).
 


Ah, so radial means it allows movement at Y, not denies movement just at Y. Now
I get it. Thanks :smile:
 

Similar threads

Undergrad What is the meaning of the free surface in fluid mechanics?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
What's this steel bearing plate going to do under this steel I beam?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
54K
High School Learn About Moments & Equilibriums: What Does a Moment Mean?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad What is the meaning of non-Abelian in physics?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • Sticky
How to use the "w" in www
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
5K
I want to help Physics education. What should I do?
  • · Replies 76 ·
3
Replies
76
Views
9K
Undergrad Atmospheric Density vs Altitude in an O'Neil Cylinder
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Physics How a person with bipolar disorder become a good physicist?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
8K
Physics Experimental undergrad research in SOP for theoretical grad research?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Graduate Are there widespread misconceptions about degeneracy pressure?
  • · Replies 63 ·
3
Replies
63
Views
25K