The Finite Magnetohydrodynamic Journal Bearing

Abstract

An analysis of a finite journal bearing is presented for the case of an electrically conducting fluid in the presence of a radial magnetic field. The magnetohydrodynamic form of the two-dimensional Reynolds equation is derived and solved numerically for the pressure distribution. The load-carrying capacity and torque are determined from the pressure distribution. Numerical data for nonconducting bearing surfaces are compared with the data from the ordinary journal bearing. It is shown that the load-carrying capacity and torque are increased by the application of the magnetic field.