The Analysis of Thermal Effects in a Full Journal Bearing

Abstract

By means of numerical techniques, the behavior of a journal bearing of finite length running under steady load, including thermal effects, is investigated with reference to the two simpler models: the “isothermal” and the “adiabatic” cases. Different bearing operating parameters are obtained, which in the latter case are evaluated from the pressure and temperature distributions obtained from the simultaneous solution of the Reynolds and Energy equations. A simplified method, which uncouples the Reynolds and the Energy equations in the oil by neglecting all the pressure terms in the energy equation, is discussed and compared with the more exact numerical method of solving the two equations simultaneously. The case of heat being conducted through metal surfaces is described, with the assumption of zero net heat flow to the journal. In order to shorten the calculations, the uncoupling technique investigated in the adiabatic case is again used and the results obtained are compared with experimental findings.