Liquid Metal Bearing Performance in Laminar and Turbulent Regimes

Abstract

The design and development of a high speed journal bearing test rig is described. Test results are presented for water and high temperature liquid potassium lubricated journal bearings. The test program included investigations of bearing torque, lubricant flow rate and stability limits for bearings operating in the laminar regime, through the transition to turbulent flow and in the turbulent flow regime. Torque vs. speed curves were obtained over a range of loads and bearing-journal clearance ratios. The test results are compared with predicted laminar bearing performance. Good correlation with theory was obtained in the laminar regime as indicated by plots of friction parameter vs. Reynolds number at zero load. The transition from laminar flow occurred at higher speeds than predicted by Taylor's criterion under all conditions of load. Recorded bearing torques in the nonlaminar regimes were four to forty times as great as predicted by laminar theory. The results of the materials compatibility study which ...