Numerical and Experimental Investigations on Preload Effects in Air Foil Journal Bearings

Author(s):  
Marcel Mahner ◽  
Pu Li ◽  
Andreas Lehn ◽  
Bernhard Schweizer

A detailed elasto-gasdynamic model of a preloaded three-pad air foil journal bearing is presented. Bump and top foil deflections are herein calculated with a nonlinear beamshell theory according to Reissner. The 2D pressure distribution in each bearing pad is described by the Reynolds equation for compressible fluids. With this model, the influence of the assembly preload on the static bearing hysteresis as well as on the aerodynamic bearing performance is investigated. For the purpose of model validation, the predicted hysteresis curves are compared with measured curves. The numerically predicted and the measured hysteresis curves show a good agreement. The numerical predictions exhibit that the assembly preload increases the bearing stiffness (in particular for moderate shaft displacements) and the bearing damping.

Author(s):  
D. K. Brighton ◽  
C. J. Hooke ◽  
J. P. O'Donoghue

This paper describes details of a solution to the finite journal bearing problem, including the effects of elastic distortions in the bearing liner. Solutions for the particular case of a bearing of length to diameter ratio of 1, outside to inside diameter ratio of 1·3, and Poisson's ratio of 0·4 have been obtained and the results are compared with experimental results obtained with a Delrin plastic bearing. Good agreement between theory and experiment has been obtained. The theory, which is applicable to soft shell bearings supported in a rigid housing, predicts that: (1) the ratio of the peak pressure to the average pressure is reduced; (2) the bearing stiffness is reduced; (3) the minimum film thickness for a given load is reduced by elastic distortions at eccentricity ratios less than unity; and (4) the friction is reduced.


Friction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuxin Tian ◽  
Yu Huang

Abstract The stiffness and dampness parameters of journal bearings are required in rectangular coordinates for analyzing the stability boundary and threshold speed of oil film bearings. On solving the Reynolds equation, the oil film force is always obtained in polar coordinates; thus, the stiffness and dampness parameters can be easily obtained in polar coordinates. Therefore, the transformation between the polar and rectangular coordinates of journal bearing stiffness and dampness parameters is discussed in this study.


Author(s):  
Marcel Mahner ◽  
Pu Li ◽  
Andreas Lehn ◽  
Bernhard Schweizer

A detailed elastogasdynamic model of a preloaded three-pad air foil journal bearing is presented. Bump and top foil deflections are herein calculated with a nonlinear beamshell theory according to Reissner. The two-dimensional pressure distribution in each bearing pad is described by the Reynolds equation for compressible fluids. The assembly preload is calculated by simulating the assembly process of top foil, bump foil, and shaft. Most advantageously, there is no need for the definition of an initial radial clearance in the presented model. With this model, the influence of the assembly preload on the static bearing hysteresis as well as on the aerodynamic bearing performance is investigated. For the purpose of model validation, the predicted hysteresis curves are compared with measured curves. The numerically predicted and the measured hysteresis curves show a good agreement. The numerical predictions exhibit that the assembly preload increases the elastic foil structural stiffness (in particular for moderate shaft displacements) and the bearing damping. It is observed that the effect of the fluid film on the overall bearing stiffness depends on the assembly preload: For lightly preloaded bearings, the fluid film affects the overall bearing stiffness considerably, while for heavily preloaded bearings the effect is rather small for a wide range of reaction forces. Furthermore, it is shown that the assembly preload increases the friction torque significantly.


1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kato ◽  
Y. Hori

A computer program for calculating dynamic coefficients of journal bearings is necessary in designing fluid film journal bearings and an accuracy of the program is sometimes checked by the relation that the cross terms of linear damping coefficients of journal bearings are equal to each other, namely “Cxy = Cyx”. However, the condition for this relation has not been clear. This paper shows that the relation “Cxy = Cyx” holds in any type of finite width journal bearing when these are calculated under the following condition: (I) The governing Reynolds equation is linear in pressure or regarded as linear in numerical calculations; (II) Film thickness is given by h = c (1 + κcosθ); and (III) Boundary condition is homogeneous such as p=0 or dp/dn=0, where n denotes a normal to the boundary.


1957 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-496
Author(s):  
J. F. Osterle ◽  
Y. T. Chou ◽  
E. A. Saibel

Abstract The Reynolds equation of hydrodynamic theory, modified to take lubricant inertia into approximate account, is applied to the steady-state operation of journal bearings to determine the effect of lubricant inertia on the pressure developed in the lubricant. A simple relationship results, relating this “inertial” pressure to the Reynolds number of the flow. It is found that the inertia effect can be significant in the laminar regime.


Author(s):  
Bikash Routh

In the present paper Reynolds equation of lubrication under micro-polar fluid for journal bearing is solved by direct-integration method under infinitely long and infinitely short journal bearing assumptions [1]. Infinitely long-bearing and infinitely short bearing solutions are the two available approximate closed form solutions for journal bearings. In the present investigation, solution of Reynolds equation i.e. pressure profile is compared with pressure profile obtained by previously used approximate method like finite difference method (FDM). Mentionable here that any approximation method needs lots of calculation and computer programing to get the result. In the present work it has been found that direct-integration method leads the almost same result as the conventionally used complex finite difference method. CFD analysis is also presented in the present work to justify the profile obtained by direct numerical method. It has seen here that theoretical and simulation results are in good agreement to each other’s.


Author(s):  
Sanyam Sharma ◽  
Chimata M Krishna

The plain circular journal bearings are not found to be stable by researchers when used in high speed rotating machineries. Hence, extensive research in the study of stability characteristics of non-circular bearings or lobed bearings assumed importance, of late. Present article deals with the stability analysis of non-circular offset bearing by taking selected set of input and output parameters. Modified Reynolds equation for micropolar lubricated rigid journal bearing system is solved using finite element method. Two kinds of input parameters namely, offset factors (0.2, 0.4) and aspect ratios (1.6, 2.0) have been selected for the study. The important output characteristics such as load, critical mass, whirl frequency ratio, and threshold speed are computed and plotted for various set of values of input parameters. The results obtained indicate that micropolar lubricated circular offset bearing is highly stable for higher offset factor and higher aspect ratio.


1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Black

The application of a perturbation in terms of simple correlations for friction in turbulent Couette and ‘screw’ flows, together with a further empirical assumption consonant with the experimental work of Smith and Fuller (1), leads to a pressure field equation identical in form with the Reynolds equation. The load capacity of journal bearings throughout most of the superlaminar range may be represented by a single curve, and existing laminar solutions may be applied with the parameters modified by Reynolds number. The theory is compared with published experimental results, and with the most successful theoretical treatment (4). The correlations obtained confirm the adequacy of the theory to predict performance in the superlaminar régime.


Author(s):  
J. L. Nikolajsen ◽  
D. Dong ◽  
M. J. Goodwin

Preliminary measurements have been conducted to determine the effect of oil aeration on journal bearing performance. Oil aeration was observed to reduce the bearing load capacity and to increase the bearing stiffness. Also, the bearing damping capacity was improved significantly by oil aeration.


1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Khonsari ◽  
V. Esfahanian

Thermohydrodynamic theory is extended to include the effect of solid particles in hydrodynamically lubricated journal bearings. Appropriate governing equations and boundary conditions are derived for the fluid flow and heat transfer processes taking place in a finite journal bearing. A general computer program is developed to numerically solve the governing equations. Results are provided for biphase lubricants containing oil with molybdenum disulfide and polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The computational results are in good agreement with experimental findings. The results indicate that the bearing temperature field is affected significantly by the presence of particles in oil. Moreover, it is found that inclusion of particles in the lubricant results in a higher coefficient of friction in the mid-range of the Sommerfeld number compared to that of the clean oil.


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