Numerical study on steady state performance enhancement of partial textured hydrodynamic journal bearing

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide the various steady state parameters of hydrodynamic journal bearings have been determined to get maximum performance enhancement ratio. For this, the bearings inner surface is textured with triangular shape with different texture depths and a number of textures in pressure increasing region. The textured region acts as a lubricant reservoir, which provides additional film-thickness and reduce friction. Therefore, enhance the overall performance of bearing.Design/methodology/approachIn the present study, the effect of triangular shaped texture on the static performance characteristics of a hydrodynamic journal bearing has been studied. Different values of texture depths and a number of textures have been numerically simulated in pressure developing region. The static performance characteristics have been calculated by solving the fluid flow governing Reynolds equation using the finite element method, assuming iso-viscous Newtonian fluid. The performance enhancement ratio, which is the ratio of load carrying capacity (LCC) to the coefficient of friction (COF) has been calculated from results to finalized optimum design parameters.FindingsThe paper provides numerically obtained results indicate that surface texturing can improve bearing performance if the textured region is placed in the pressure increasing region. Moreover, surface texturing is the most effective at bearing performance enhancement when the bearing operates at lower eccentricity ratios and texture depth. The performance enhancement ratio, which is the ratio of LCC to the COF is found to be a maximum value of 2.198 at texture depth of 1.5, eccentricity ratio of 0.2 and the textured region located in the increasing pressure region.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study is based on a numerical based research approach, which has its limitations. So, researchers are encouraged to investigate the same work experimentally.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications to be beneficial for designers for designing better hydrodynamic journal bearings.Originality/valueFor the triangular shaped texture, considered in the present study, the optimum values of texture depth and texture distribution region have also been determined. While designing, designers should focus on those values of texture depth, texture region and a number of textures, which give the maximum value of performance enhancement ratio, which represents maximum LCC at the lowest value of the COF.