Oscillating Journal Bearings Under Steady Load: A Numerical Study of Limiting Cases

Abstract

This note provides a more extensive assessment of bearing performance for steadily loaded oscillating journal bearings using the mobility method of solution. Even with significantly large journal oscillation amplitudes, unexpectedly thin films are predicted for conventional designs as the load number goes to zero. Offset journal bearing arrangements subjected to the same loads and kinematics are shown to provide a substantial improvement in film thickness, particularly at low oscillation amplitudes, compared with the conventional design configuration.