Thermal and Inertia Effects in Turulent-Flow Thrust Bearings

Abstract

This paper presents a semi-analytical study of the influence of inertia terms on the thermohydrodynamic analysis of infinitely-wide thrust bearings operating under conditions of laminar and turbulent flow. The momentum and energy equations are not seriously affected by the presence of inertia forces. Results show that the inclusion of inertia terms causes an increase in the fluid film pressure and load-carrying capacity. Thermal effects exert a pronounced influence on bearing performance.