Study on the transient performance of textured water-lubricated bearings considering different acceleration conditions

Abstract

This study analyses the transient friction dynamics behavior of water-lubricated bearings (WLBs) with a textured structure, which explains the mechanism of texture structure influencing the hydrodynamic effect of WLB in the physical aspect. A comparison of experimental and numerical data is carried out to validate the proposed mixed lubrication model with a textured structure for WLBs. The effects of texture type, texture angle, acceleration mode, and acceleration time on the nonlinear friction dynamics properties of WLBs are investigated. The result shows that various texture structures exhibit distinct pumping effects and that the optimal friction dynamics performance of WLBs can be achieved by adopting the right herringbone texture and an acceptable texture angle. It is advisable to utilize the reverse S-shaped acceleration mode, as it may efficiently mitigate hydrodynamic shock, minimize frictional contact at the initial startup stage, and control the rotor's vibration in later stages. The brief acceleration time may result in a transient shock that hampers proper lubrication, consequently affecting the stable operation of WLBs. The study's findings offer helpful suggestions for the enhanced design of WLB structures and the mitigation of wear and vibration.