Influence of surface textures on the dynamic stability and performance parameters of hydrodynamic two-lobe journal bearings

Abstract

Surface texturing can improve the performance of journal bearing system. The present study theoretically investigates the impact of surface textures on the dynamic stability and performance parameters of two-lobe journal bearing system. Galerkin's finite element method is used to solve the Reynolds equation governing the flow of lubricant in the gap between the bearing and the journal. Reynolds boundary conditions are applied in the simulation study of plain, full-textured, partially textured-I and partially textured-II configurations of two-lobe journal bearing. The dynamic stability and performance parameters of textured two-lobe journal bearings are computed with the variation of eccentricity ratio and dimple depth and compared with circular bearing results. The results indicate that the existence of surface textures in the pressure build-up zone ranging from 126°–286° and at unity dimple aspect ratio can significantly improve the dynamic stability and performance parameters of two-lobe bearing system.