CFD Based Design Techniques for Thermal Prediction in a Generic Two-Axial Groove Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing

Abstract

There are many physical parameters that influence the thermal condition of a hydrodynamic journal bearing. This remains the case even when appropriate nondimensionalization procedures have been applied. However, two dimensionless parameters are particularly useful, since they embody lubricant shearing, convection, conduction and viscosity temperature variation. In this paper, these parameters are varied to obtain design charts for the maximum bearing shell and journal temperatures. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques are used in this process. They are applied to a generic two-axial groove circular bearing having a section of journal that extends beyond the width of the shell. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the charts through example design studies.