Dynamic Performance of Spacecraft Flywheel Ball Bearing with Different Type and Distribution of Cage Pocket Shape

The dynamic behaviors of self-lubricating cage, which includes cage whirling state, ball-pocket collision force and skidding ratio, are strongly concerned by aerospace and military industry. In this paper, cages with different kinds of pocket shape and distribution mode are experimentally and theoretically investigated. A high-speed photograph technology is applied on the bearing test bench to obtain the instantaneous motion state of cage. The model is validated by the results of cage whirling orbits. The results found that the cage with rectangular pockets shows advantages in anti-skidding performance and stable whirling. The bearing with rectangular-circular combination pocket cage shows good anti-skidding performance, but worst cage revolution stability. The collision force of the cage with circular pockets is lowest.