Paper 15: Thermal Aspects of Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Performance at High Speeds

Abstract

This paper describes a rig for testing journal bearings at high speeds under steady loads and reports on measurements of bearing and lubricant temperatures and lubricant flow-rates for hydrodynamic journal bearings operating at speeds up to 35 000 rev/min and mean bearing pressures up to 3333 lbf/in2. Variations of temperature and flow-rate with load, speed, oil-inlet temperature and pressure, clearance, and oil-inlet grooving are also described, and the effects of bearing and lubricant temperatures on bearing performance are discussed.