THD Analysis of Non-Constant Gap, Externally Pressurized Conical Bearings

Abstract

This paper presents a thermohydrodynamic analysis of non-constant gap conical bearings, externally pressurized through the central recess and rotating with a uniform angular velocity. The fluid is assumed to be incompressible and the viscosity of the lubricant is assumed to vary exponentially with temperature. The governing system of coupled momentum and energy equations, in conical coordinates, is solved numerically using the finite difference method to determine various bearing characteristics. Results for convergent, constant and divergent gaps have been presented. It is observed that as the slider is cooled the load capacity and torque of the bearing increase, for both convergent as well as divergent gap. This effect is most accentuated for higher values of film thickness parameter. Presented at the 47th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 4–7, 1992