Numerical Three-Dimensional Pressure Patterns in a Recess of a Turbulent and Compressible Hybrid Journal Bearing

Abstract

The present work investigates the flow in the feeding recess of a hybrid journal bearing. Numerical integration of the complete Navier-Stokes equations was performed with an appropriate turbulence model. Of primary concern is the pressure field on the rotating journal surface that is commonly known as the recess pressure pattern. The goal of the work is to determine the influences of fluid compressibility, operating conditions and recess geometry. Reference parameters selected for this study comprise feeding Reynolds number Rea of 2.105, sliding Reynolds number Rec of 5.103 and recess depth over film thickness ratio e/H of 2.2. Compressibility was considered first. Three values of the axial exit Mach number were selected for computation, namely 0.2, 0.45, and 0.7. As no significant variation was found, the Mach number was fixed at 0.45 in subsequent studies concerning other parameters: Feeding Reynolds number, Rea 2.104,2.105,4.105 Recess depth, e/H 0, 2.2, 8 Feedhole axis inclination 90°, 135°, 165° Feedhole location (Figs. 1(a) and 13) centered, downstream offset. As each parameter is varied, wire mesh plot of pressure and its sectional profiles are examined and effects of varying various parameters are discussed in reference to flow processes as they may affect the support characteristics of the hybrid journal bearing.