Theoretical investigation of surface texture effects on the performance characteristics of hydrodynamic two-lobe journal bearing

Abstract

In the present work, theoretical investigation has been performed to predict the influence of spherical textures on the performance characteristics of two-lobe journal bearing system. The flow of lubricant in the clearance space between the bearing and the journal is governed by the Reynolds equation assuming the flow is Newtonian and isoviscous. The Reynolds equation is solved using a finite element method and the static performance parameters of circular/two-lobe smooth/textured journal bearing system have been computed with variation in eccentricity ratio, dimple depth and its location. The numerically simulated results reveal that the partial surface texturing can provide better performance when the textures are created in the pressure build-up region of 126°–286° and the dimple aspect ratio is nearly 1.0.