Stability Analysis of a Rough Journal Bearing Considering Cavitation Effects

Abstract

A modified governing equation is derived incorporating the effects of roughness and cavitation in a journal bearing. The available theories of Reynolds roughness and cavitation algorithm proposed by Elrod are utilized in this work to develop a numerical procedure for stability analysis of a liquid lubricated rough journal bearing. The Elrod generalized theory of Reynolds roughness provides a governing equation based on the surface configuration. The Elrod cavitation algorithm conserves mass throughout the bearing and automatically predicts the full film and cavitation regions using a switch function. The roughness is considered on either or both the bearing and journal surfaces. The instability threshold speed increases significantly for the roughness patterns on the grooved bearing surface only at higher eccentricity ratios. The threshold speed increases significantly with increase in the inclination of herringbone type striated roughness patterns on the journal surface from 110° to 150°.