Effect of surface roughness, viscosity-pressure relationship and elastic deformation on lubrication performance of misaligned journal bearings

Abstract

Purpose – Current lubrication analyses of misaligned journal bearings were generally performed under some given preconditions. To make the lubrication analysis closer to the actual situation and usable to the journal bearing design, the purpose of this paper was to calculate the lubrication characteristics of misaligned journal bearings considering the viscosity-pressure effect of the oil, the surface roughness and the elastic deformation of the journal bearing at the same time. Design/methodology/approach – The lubrication of bearings was analyzed using the average Reynolds equation. The deformation of the bearing surface under oil film pressure was calculated by a compliance matrix method. The compliance matrix was established by finite element analysis of the bearing housing. The viscosity-pressure and viscosity–temperature equations were used in the analysis. Findings – The oil viscosity-pressure relationship has a significant effect on the lubrication of misaligned journal bearings. The surface roughness will affect the lubrication of misaligned journal bearings when the eccentricity ratio and angle of journal misalignment are all large. The directional parameter of the surface has an obvious effect on the lubrication of misaligned journal bearings. The deformation of the bearing surface has a remarkable effect on the lubrication of misaligned journal bearings. Originality/value – The lubrication characteristics of misaligned journal bearings were calculated considering the viscosity-pressure effect of the oil, the surface roughness and the elastic deformation of the journal bearing at the same time. The results of this paper are helpful to the design of the bearing.