Double-Layered Porous Rayleigh Step Slider Bearings Lubricated with Couplestress Fluids

Abstract

Objective: To examine the performance of double-layered porous Rayleigh step slider bearings lubricated with couple stress fluid and to compare it with the performance of single layered porous Rayleigh step bearing. Methods: Based on the Stokes micro continuum theory of couple stress fluids, the modified Reynolds equation governing fluid film pressure is derived. Its analytical solution is and the closed form expressions for the fluid film pressure, frictional force and load carrying capacity are obtained. Findings: The numerical results for bearing characteristics such as pressure, load carrying capacity, frictional force are plotted graphically to study the effect of doublelayered porous facing. The effect of permeability of the porous layer is to decrease the load carrying capacity as it gives an easy path for the lubricant to pass through. This adverse effect can be compensated by introducing double layered porous facing with different permeabilities and the results presented here in this paper clearly shows the increase in load carrying capacity and decrease in co-efficient of friction for the double layered porous bearings as compared to that of single layered porous bearings. Novelty: Original research was conducted on double-layered porous Rayleigh step slider bearings with couple stress fluid by considering the effects of lubricant additives in the porous region and the results are compared with that of single layered porous bearings. Keywords: Rayleighstep slider bearing; permeability; Doublelayered porous; couple stress fluid Microcontinuum