Load Carrying Efficiency of Floating Ring Journal Bearings

Abstract

Floating ring bearings are compared to single film journal bearings over the full range from laminar to turbulent conditions in the films. Isothermal conditions are assumed. Assuming each type carries the same external load and operates at the same eccentricity ratio as determined by the Capacity Number, reductions in the power loss required range from 31 to 64 percent when the clearance ratio C0/(C1 + C2) is held constant and the length is shortened, and from 42 to 63 percent when the length ratio L0/L is held constant and the clearance ratio C0/(C1 + C2) is reduced. Equilibrium ring speeds range from ω0/3 to 0.45 ω0.