Squeeze Film Behavior in a Spherical Porous Bearing

Abstract

The squeeze film behavior in a hemispherical porous bearing under a steady load is analyzed. A nonspinning spherical rotor moves vertically down toward the inner surface of the bearing squeezing the incompressible lubricant film in the gap between the rotor and the bearing. The analysis shows that the permeability of the bearing matrix and the wall thickness of the bearing adversely affect the load capacity and greatly reduce the time needed for the rotor to attain a given eccentricity. Also, unlike the case of an impermeable bearing, there exists the possibility of the rotor coming in actual contact with the bearing (ε = 1) in finite time. The results are presented in graphical and tabular forms.