Influence of wear on the performance of hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing in turbulent regime

Abstract

Purpose

The present work aimed to study analytically the influence of wear on the performance of a capillary-compensated hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing system operating in a turbulent regime. The numerically simulated results are presented for the chosen values of restrictor design parameter, Reynolds numbers, wear depth and misalignment parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

The wear caused on the bearing surface due to start/stop operations is modeled using the Dufrane’s abrasive wear model. The modified Reynolds equation based on Constantinescu’s lubrication theory is solved using finite element method together with capillary restrictor flow equation.

Findings

It is found that the value of minimum fluid-film thickness increases significantly for a constant value of restrictor design parameter when unworn aligned bearing operates in turbulent regime vis-à-vis laminar regime. Further, it has also been observed that when a worn bearing operates in laminar/turbulent regimes, the reduction in the value of minimum fluid-film thickness is more due to journal misalignment as compared to the aligned bearing operates in laminar regime.

Originality/value

The present work is original concerning the performance of worn hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing system operating in turbulent regime. The results are expected to be quite useful for the bearing designer.

Citation

Ram, N. and C. Sharma, S. (2014), "Influence of wear on the performance of hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing in turbulent regime", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 66 No. 4, pp. 509-519. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-12-2011-0113