Performance Analysis of the Rayleigh Step Bearing under the Coexistence State of Fluid with Laminar Flow and Turbulence

Abstract

In the design of tribology pairs, the Rayleigh step bearing is known as a bearing with the highest load capacity amongst all other possible bearing geometries. This paper mainly discusses a new high-speed bearing with shallow and deep cavities on the inner surface of the bearing, and further the physical phenomena in laminar flow and turbulence regimes was revealed. In doing so, the pressure distribution was calculated first using the continuity equations and then performances in the whole flow domain such as pressure distribution, load-carrying capacity, friction force and friction coefficient were calculated. In addition, a set of optimum geometries are shown to provide the highest load capacity for the Rayleigh step bearing under varied Reynolds number. Finally, associated conclusions were drawn by comparison between results under the coexistence state and under the laminar state.