Study on the solution algorithm of Reynolds equation of self‐acting gas journal bearings based on a finite difference method

Abstract

AbstractIt is very crucial to solve the Reynolds equation quickly and accurately using the numerical methods in the research field of fluid lubrication. For the static Reynolds equation of self‐acting gas journal bearings, the typical solution algorithm of the finite difference method is put forward and a new solution algorithm of the finite difference method is proposed. Secondly, the Reynolds equation is solved numerically with the same parameters and the pressure distribution of gas bearings is obtained. Finally, the numerical solution from the new solution algorithm can be obtained with less number of iterations and the less computing time under the different computational grids and bearing numbers. Therefore, the new solution algorithm of the finite difference method is superior to the typical solution algorithm of the finite difference method.