Hydrodynamic lubrication analysis of journal bearing considering misalignment caused by shaft deformation

The potential use of laser surface texturing (LST) in hydrodynamic journal bearings is examined theoretically. The regular surface texture has the form of micro-dimples with preselected diameter, depth, and area density. It can be applied to only a certain portion of the bearing perimeter (partial LST) or the full bearing perimeter (full LST). The effect of such a texture on load capacity and on the attitude angle of the journal bearing is investigated in the present work. The optimum parameters of the dimples and favorable LST mode for maximum load capacity have been found.

A Laser Surface Textured Journal Bearing

It is now 60 years since Ertel produced the first solution to the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problem. There has been enormous progress since then, both in numerical modelling and in experimental research on EHL. The moving, rough surface EHL problem can now be solved on laptop-level computers, while maps of film thickness, pressure and temperature can be obtained experimentally from within rolling/sliding contacts. However, there remain some important questions that have not been fully resolved. One of the most contentious is how to describe the rheological properties of lubricants under the very severe conditions present in thin film EHL contacts. A second is how to model mixed lubricated contact, where the fluid film can break down at asperity conjunctions. But perhaps the greatest challenge to researchers in EHL is to produce useful design equations for predicting the performance of machine components operating in EHL and thereby ensure that EHL theory becomes an integral part of the design process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sixty years of EHL

Analysis of steady-state characteristics of misaligned hydrodynamic journal bearings with isotropic roughness effect

Hydrodynamic journal bearings are essential components for supporting and guiding the rotating shafts of high-speed machinery. Manufacturing defects in assembly or thermal distortions may introduce problems during running, such as misalignment. The destructive effects of this kind of running problem have justified the development of a numerical model to predict the bearing operating characteristics under steady-state conditions. The present work presents in detail the three-dimensional thermohydrodynamic approach adopted in this study in order to consider the thermal field variations. This model also includes lubricant film rupture and reformation phenomena by conserving the mass flow rate. In addition, an experimental validation is made by comparison with measurements carried out on our test device for various operating conditions and misalignment torques. The influence of misalignment direction is also investigated by considering numerical and experimental approaches used in the study of bearing behavio...

Thermohydrodynamic Behavior of Misaligned Plain Journal Bearings: Theoretical and Experimental Approaches

An Adiabatic Solution of Misaligned Journal Bearings

Computer-Aided Study of Journal Bearings With Undulating Surfaces

A two disk machine with a spherical disk mating a plain cylindrical one has been constructed to operate at different elliptical contact situations under various loads and rolling to sliding speeds. The disks axes can skew relative to each other so that various elliptical contacts could be tested. By the aid of specially modified evaporated transducers (Manganin band for pressure measurements and platinum band for temperature measurements), the elastohydrodynamic (EHD) pressure and temperature distributions could be accurately traced. Results, herein presented, confirmed that within the contact zone, the pressure distribution exhibits an almost Hertzian shape but with a second pressure peak (spike) near the trailing (exit) end of the oil film. The temperature has proven to display a distribution analogous to that described by the generated EHD pressure.

Elastohydrodynamic Behavior of Rolling Elliptical Contacts: Part I: Pressure and Temperature Distributions

A spherically crowned circular disk in contact with a mating plain cylindrical one has been used in a two disk machine to conduct elastohydrodynamic (EHD) investigations with the contact zone describing elliptical shape. The oil film thickness variation has been accurately measured and herein presented under several contact situations with disks running with either pure rolling or combined rolling and sliding motion. Results confirmed that the introduction of a percentage slip over a rolling contact by either changing disks relative speed or skewing disks axes relative to each other, would affect the resultant oil film thickness by reducing it. However, the contact profile retained its shape with a mean oil film passage followed by a reduction at the trailing exit end. Compared with previous EHD theoretical and experimental findings, the present results come in line with previous predictions and confirm the importance of adopting thermal solutions in solving EHD situations.

M. O. A. Mokhtar

Papers

An Adiabatic Solution of Misaligned Journal Bearings

Computer-Aided Study of Journal Bearings With Undulating Surfaces

Elastohydrodynamic Behavior of Rolling Elliptical Contacts: Part I: Pressure and Temperature Distributions

Elastohydrodynamic Behavior of Rolling Elliptical Contacts: Part II: Oil Film Thickness and Contact Profile

Elastohydrodynamic Behavior of Elliptical Contacts Under Pure Rolling Situations