Hydrodynamic Analysis and Fluid-Solid Interaction Effects on the Behavior of a Compliant Wall (Thick) Journal Bearing. Part 1: Theory

Abstract

In the first part of this two part paper we have introduced a new hybrid model for the solution of the compliant wall bearing problem. A cylindrical three dimensional finite element model (FEM) for an axisymmetric body, subjected to nonaxisymmetric loading has been combined with a finite difference model (FDM) for the solution of the fluid pressure Reynolds equation. The latter equation handles both axial misalignment and the working fluid variable properties. The pressures were expressed as continuous Fourier series along the circumference and provided the nodal forces for the loading the compliant liner. The method of solution is an iterative procedure which combines the FEM and the FDM algorithms to yield the deformation of the liner and the bearing pressure map.