Magnetohydrodynamic Squeeze Film Bearings

Abstract

A theoretical analysis is given for squeeze film bearings which use an electrically conducting fluid, such as a liquid metal, as the lubricant and which are in the presence of a magnetic field. Electrical energy is added to the film by an exterior source. By considering infinitely long rectangular plates, the fluid film thickness is determined as a function of time, with the applied magnetic and electric fields as parameters. It is shown that the squeeze action is altered significantly when the electric field is symmetrical about the center of the bearing, and results are presented for various values of the Hartmann number.