A CFD-Based Frequency Response Method Applied in the Determination of Dynamic Coefficients of Hydrodynamic Bearings. Part 1: Theory

Abstract

A general, CFD-based frequency response method for obtaining the dynamic coefficients of hydrodynamic bearings is presented. The method is grounded in experimental parameter identification methods and is verified for an extremely long, slider bearing geometry as well as short and long journal bearing geometries. The influence of temporal inertia on the dynamic response of the bearings is discussed and quantified through the inclusion of added mass coefficients within the mechanical models of the hydrodynamic bearing films. Methods to separate the dynamic stiffness into static stiffness and added mass contributions are presented and their results compared. Harmonic perturbations are applied to the bearings at varying frequencies to determine the frequency dependence of the dynamic coefficients and to facilitate the decomposition of the dynamic stiffness into its constituents. Added mass effects are shown to be significant for the extremely long slider bearing geometry and negligible for the short and long journal bearing geometries under operating conditions motivated by those typical of marine bearings.