Numerical analysis of the transient wear and lubrication behaviors of misaligned journal bearings caused by linear shaft misalignment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of the misalignment journal, caused by journal elastic deformation, on the transient wear and mixed lubrication performances using a numerical model. In the numerical model, the transient geometry lubrication clearance considering the journal misalignment, the transient elastic deformation and the transient wear depth are incorporated to evaluate the transient film thickness during wear process. The evolutions, under different external loads, of the wear depth, wear rate, elastic deformation, film thickness, fluid pressure and contact pressure are calculated by the numerical model. Furthermore, the calculated results of the misaligned journal bearing are compared with those of the aligned journal bearing. The results show that the distributions of the wear depth, film pressure and elastic deformation are asymmetric along the axial direction and the peak values of them shift toward the back end when the journal misalignment is considered. The maximum wear depth, maximum fluid pressure, maximum contact pressure and maximum elastic deformation of the misaligned journal condition are significantly larger than those of the aligned journal condition.

Tilting Pad Journal Bearing Misalignment Effect on Thermally Induced Synchronous Instability (Morton Effect)

This paper investigates the influence of misaligned journal bearing effects on the thermally induced rotor instability (Morton effect “ME”) problem. The Morton effect is caused by uneven viscous heating of the journal in a fluid film bearing, which causes thermal bending, especially in rotors with an overhung disc or coupling weight. The thermally induced bending in the shaft may cause a vibration instability, which results in an excessive level of synchronous vibration. Previous research focused on parametric studies of the rotor and bearing design parameters, including overhung mass, bearing radial clearance, and lubricant viscosity. The present study investigates the influence of journal misalignment on the Morton effect. A coupled fluid-thermal-structural, three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) is developed to simulate fluid film pressures and temperatures, and shaft temperatures and vibrations. Simulations were conducted with different ratios of journal misalignment, and different pad-pivot types to determine their effect on the phenomenon. The simulation results indicate that the amplitude of the misalignment angle affects the instability speed range (ISR) caused by the Morton effect under certain conditions.

Effect of journal misalignment on the static characteristics of an innovative journal bearing with adjustable elements in load-on-pad and load-between-pad configurations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to theoretically analyze an innovative form of variable bearing configuration having four pads with unique adjustability principle operated under journal misaligned conditions. The parameters such as load positions, degrees of misalignment (DM) and pad adjustment configurations influencing the steady-state performance of the four-pad adjustable bearing are detailed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach The proposed adjustable pad geometry possesses the ability to undergo radial and tilt motions in both inward and outward directions. Analysis is carried out by considering journal misalignment in vertical and horizontal planes with bearing modelled for load-on-pad and load-between-pad configurations. The film thickness equation derived to incorporate the radial and tilt adjustment parameters is further modified to accommodate the different load orientations and misaligned journal conditions. The pressure field equation is solved by applying finite-difference technique combined with Gauss Siedel iterative method. Findings At higher DM, peak pressures generated in the minimum film thickness region near the pad ends highly influences the bearing load carrying capacity. Results indicated that the adjustable four-pad bearing geometry is highly efficient in withstanding the journal misalignment by radially displacing and tilting the four pads in negative directions. Originality/value For bearing designers, this research highlights the importance of considering the misalignment factor during the design stages of an adjustable journal bearing. The proposed adjustability concept is proven to be effective enough to improve the bearing performance and, in turn, withstand the journal misalignment.

Effects of double parabolic profiles with groove textures on the hydrodynamic lubrication performance of journal bearing under steady operating conditions

The textures on the bushing surface have important effects on the performance of journal bearing. In this study, the effects of double parabolic profiles with groove textures on the hydrodynamic lubrication performance of journal bearing under steady operating conditions are investigated theoretically. The journal misalignment, asperity contact and thermal effects are considered, while the profile modifications due to running-in are neglected. The Winkler/Column model is used to calculate the elastic deformation of bushing surface and the adiabatic flow hypothesis is adopted to obtain the effective temperature of lubricating oil. The numerical solution is established by using finite difference and overrelaxation iterative methods, and the rupture zone of oil film is determined by Reynolds boundary conditions. The numerical results reveal that the double parabolic profiles with groove textures with proper location and geometric sizes can increase load carrying capacity and reduce friction loss under steady operating conditions, which effectively overcome the drawbacks of double parabolic profiles. This novel bushing profile may help to reduce the bushing edge wear and enhance the lubrication performance of journal bearing.

Effect of journal misalignment and coupled-stress lubricant on the film pressure of a double-layered porous journal bearing

Purpose In the application of hydrostatic double-layered porous journal bearings, misalignment of bearing systems is a major problem. On the other hand, the use of coupled-stress fluid as a lubricant is more practical in the present days. Furthermore, in case of porous bearing, neglecting slip effect and percolation effect of additives into the pores may lead to erroneous result. Hence, this paper aims to address the effect of journal misalignment and coupled-stress lubricant on the steady-state film pressure of the double-layered porous journal bearing with tangential velocity slip and percolation effect. Design/methodology/approach First, considering the tangential velocity slip, the most general modified Reynolds type equation has been derived for the film region and the governing equations for flow in the coarse and fine layers of porous medium, incorporating the percolation effect for a double-layered porous bearing. Here, considering the misalignment caused by shaft displacement. Film thickness expression established considering the effect of misalignment. Steady-state film pressures are obtained by solving modified Reynolds equation based on the coupled-stress lubrication theory. Effects of journal misalignment and coupled-stress lubricant on the pressure profiles in the film region are discussed and demonstrated in the graphical form. Findings In this paper, effects of journal misalignment and coupled-stress lubricant on the pressure profiles in the film region are obtained. In general, higher degree of misalignment gives higher steady-state pressure value in the film region, and this pressure increases due to increase in coupled-stress parameter up to a certain limit. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is no literature available, so far, that addresses the analysis of the steady-state pressure in the film region of a doubled–layered porous journal bearing under misaligned condition with coupled-stress lubricant. But in this paper all these points are included, which makes this article valuable in design purpose.

Research on Turbulent Lubrication of Misaligned Journal Bearing Considering the Axial Motion of Journal

Based on the coordinate transformation method, the generalized turbulent lubrication equation considering the axial motion of the journal is derived. The finite-difference method is used to solve the generalized turbulent lubrication equation. The variations of turbulent lubrication performance with axial displacement for different axial movement velocity of the journal, journal misalignment angle, and initial mid-plane eccentricity ratio are obtained. The results show that when the axial movement velocity of the journal increases, the mid-plane eccentricity ratio of the bearing and the minimum film thickness remain unchanged, the average Reynolds number, maximum film pressure, load capacity, frictional power, and side leakage increases. As the axial displacement of the journal increases, the greater the misalignment angle of the journal, the greater the degree of misalignment, maximum film pressure, load capacity, and misalignment moment of the bearing. The greater the initial mid-plane eccentricity ratio, the greater the degree of journal misalignment, maximum film pressure, load capacity, frictional power, and misalignment moment.

Analysis of misaligned water-lubricated polymer bearing with axial grooves

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the lubrication behavior of misaligned water-lubricated polymer bearings with axial grooves. Design/methodology/approach A lubrication model considering journal misalignment, bush deformation and grooves is established. In dynamic analyses of shaft systems, bearings are usually simplified as supporting points. Thus, an approach for solving the equivalent supporting point location is presented. The influence of misalignment angle and groove number on film thickness, hydrodynamic pressure distribution, load-carrying capacity and ESP location is investigated. Findings As the misalignment angle increases, the location of the maximum pressure and ESP are shifted toward the down-warping end, and the load-carrying capacity of the bearing decreases. In comparison to the nine-groove bearing, the six grooves bearing has a higher load-carrying capacity and the ESP is located closer to the down-warping end for an equivalent misalignment angle. Practical implications The results of this study can be applied to marine propeller shaft systems and other systems with misaligned bearings. Originality/value A study on the lubrication behavior of misaligned water-lubricated polymer bearings with axial grooves is of significant interest to the research community.