Thermal Behavior and Friction in Journal Bearings

Abstract

This paper deals with friction and the field of temperature in the lubricant film of journal bearings. Theoretical results regarding the thermal behavior are checked with experimental data and good agreement is found. Emphasis is put on the variation of temperature and lubricant flow with the operating characteristics of the bearing and it is seen that theoretical predictions for minima of friction torque are backed by temperature measurements. Further on, the friction torque and the mechanism of heat dissipation in bearings are dealt with, in order to verify the assumptions used in the calculation schemes. The means of efficiently cooling the bearing are also discussed, as well as the part played by the divergent zone in this process.

A review of thermohydrodynamic aspects of gas foil bearings

“…Later on, Dowson 64 published an article in which the transverse viscosity is considered both along and across the fluid film direction while deriving the modified Reynold's equation. Tipei and Nica 65,66 were one of the first to investigate thermal characteristics of finite journal bearing using an energy equation assuming varying viscosity with the film thickness. However, the viscosity variation across the film thickness was neglected.…”