Effects on lubrication characteristics of water-lubricated rubber bearings with journal tilting and surface roughness

Abstract

To study the effect of surface roughness on the lubrication characteristics of water-lubricated rubber bearings (WLRBs) when the stern shaft is tilted, the surface roughness of the bearings was measured by a surface roughness measuring instrument. Considering the tilting stern shaft and surface roughness, a mathematical model was constructed and water film thickness equation was deduced. By adopting the finite difference method, the film thickness and pressure distribution of WLRBs with tilt angle and roughness were analysed. The effects of tilt angle on film thickness and pressure under different surface roughness amplitudes and wavelengths were studied, and the results were then compared with those of smooth surface bearings without tilt angle. Finally, the minimum film thickness and maximum film pressure were analysed. The results showed that when the tilt of rotor and surface roughness of bearing were considered simultaneously, the film thickness exhibited a jagged distribution in the circumferential direction and decreased gradually in the axial direction. The film pressure had slightly irregular fluctuations and a sharp pressure peak. The tilt angle and roughness reduced the minimum film thickness, and the film thickness difference increased. The film pressure increased rapidly and local pressure exhibited slight, sudden changes. The surface roughness amplitude and wavelength had a considerable influence on the water film thickness, and the roughness amplitude had a clear effect on the film pressure. As the roughness amplitude increased, the minimum film thickness gradually declined and film pressure peak fluctuation grew. As the roughness wavelength increased, the film thickness fluctuated irregularly within a certain range of magnitude, and the minimum film thickness was almost constant.