Comparison of static performance characteristics of different configurations of slot-entry hybrid journal bearing operating with non-Newtonian lubricants

Abstract

Purpose – The slot-entry hybrid journal bearings have been successfully used in various engineering applications because of their good performance over wide range of speed and load, besides their relative simplicity in manufacturing. Most of the research work pertaining to non-recessed journal bearing assumes standard symmetric and asymmetric configurations. However, many more configurations are possible by changing the position of slot which may improve the performance of the slot-entry journal bearing. In the present work study of static performance characteristics of slot-entry journal bearing of different configuration has been carried out. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – FEM has been used to solve the Reynolds equation governing the flow of lubricant in the bearing clearance space along with the restrictor flow equation. The non-Newtonian lubricant has been assumed to follow the cubic shear stress law. The performance characteristics of slot-entry hybrid journal bearings are computed by developing a computer program. Findings – The simulated results of bearing characteristics parameters in terms of minimum fluid-film thickness and bearing flow have been presented for the wide range of various values of non-linearity factor and external load. It is found that there is an increase in the oil requirement for slot-entry hybrid journal bearing with the specified operating and geometric parameters, when the viscosity of the lubricant decreases due to the non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant. The effect of the decrease in the viscosity of the lubricant due to non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant diminishes the attitude angle. The computed performance characteristics are helpful for the bearing designer while choosing a particular configuration of bearing. Research limitations/implications – The performance characteristics have been computed by considering the non-Newtonian lubricants. The thermal effects have been ignored in the analysis so as to obviate the mathematical complexity. Originality/value – Get idea from already published manuscripts.