Analysis of Thermal Effects in Hydrodynamic Bearings

Abstract

A general THD theory and a comparison between theoretical and experimental results are presented. The generalized Reynolds equation, the energy equation in the film, and the heat transfer equation in the bush and the shaft are solved simultaneously. The cavitation in the film, the lubricant recirculation, and the reversed flow at the inlet are taken into account. In addition, the thermoelastic deformations are also calculated in order to define the film thickness. Good agreement is found between experimental data and theoretical results which include thermoelastic displacements of both the shaft and the bush.