Exact Thermoelastic Solutions for Clearance Variation in a Short Cylindrical Bearing Configuration With Unsymmetrical Frictional Heating

Abstract

Exact solutions are given for the variation of clearance in short, cylindrical, dry journal bearings with unsymmetrical frictional heating. It is assumed that the heating takes place uniformly over an arc of contact, 2β, between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, which are of identical materials. The steady-state thermoelastic reduction of clearance is computed for contact arcs such that 0 deg < 2β ≤ 360 deg. The outer cylinder is cooled externally. Solutions are obtained in terms of seven parameters. They are offered in a form whereby they may be adapted to a variety of practical bearing problems.