The thermal and mechanical behaviors of running angular contact ball bearings(ACBB) are highly coupled. They are connected by a temperature induced force which is so-called thermal preload. An approach to analyze ACBB thermo-mechanical coupling behaviors was proposed.An integrated ACBB thermo-mechanical model was created based on multi-software collaborative computing platform. Effects of comprehensive thermal boundary conditions like joints thermal contact resistance, oil-air lubrication and the bearing surroundings convection on the ACBB thermal behaviors were investigated by using this integrated model. Temperature tests were performed on the bearing experimentation platform.The analytical model was validated by the virtue of temperature inspecting instrument through the temperature-measuring-hole that is fabricated on the bearing housing.Variation principles of ACBB thermal preloads under the different rotational velocities and initial preloads were studied, and effects of thermal preloads on the ACBB operational stiffness were analyzed.
