Experimental evaluation of lubricating oil film pressure and temperarture of elliptical non-circular journal bearing profile

Abstract

The elliptical non-circular journal profile bearings provides more thermal stability than the circular journal bearings. The present study evaluates the thermal performance parameters such as oil film pressure and temperature experimentally along the circumference of an elliptical journal bearing. The tests have been conducted on the specially designed Journal Bearing Test Rig which is capable of measuring both pressure and temperature simultaneously at nine different locations along the central periphery of the elliptical journal bearing. The experimental data is measured at a constant journal speed=2000 rpm and with a variable radial load ranging from 500 N to 2000 N in steps of 500 N is applied on the bearing. The lubricant used for the experimentation is HYDROL 32. The results shows that both oil film pressure and the temperature increases with the increase in applied radial load on the bearing at the constant speed. Experimentally, two positive pressure loops have been found along the elliptical circumference of the bearing which accounts for better thermal stability as it reduces the cavitation zone inside the bearing.