Modeling of a Grooved Parallel Bearing with a Mass-Conserving Cavitation Algorithm

Abstract

Several load-supporting mechanisms have been studied to deal with the cavitation problem in parallel bearings. The formation of cavities and their disposition affect the pressure generated in a continuous thin film and hence the load capacity of bearings. In solving the Reynolds equation, proper cavitation boundary conditions must be applied. In this article, the mass-conserving Vijayaraghavan-Keith cavitation algorithm is utilized to analyze the hydrodynamic lubrication performance of parallel bearings with one or more grooves. Using the finite difference method, a one-dimensional Reynolds equation is discretized. Gauss-Seidel iteration is used to solve the obtained set of linear algebraic equations. For a given lubricant, sliding speed, and minimum film thickness, several comparative studies are made between the Vijayaraghavan-Keith cavitation algorithm and a published analytic solution. Several factors affecting the hydrodynamic lubrication performance are considered, such as cavitation pressure, inlet length, groove number, and textured pattern. The analysis results validate the Vijayaraghavan-Keith cavitation algorithm. It is found that the Vijayaraghavan-Keith algorithm is not sensitive to the textured groove depth. In addition, inlet roughness, inlet suction, and quasi-antisymmetric integration are identified to be the essential features that generate hydrodynamic pressure in parallel bearings.

KEY WORDS:

• Hydrodynamic Bearings
• Cavitation in Hydrodynamics
• Roughness Effects in Hydrodynamics

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This research was financially supported by the Nature Science Foundation of China (No. 50875136) and the program for New Century Excellent Talents of the University of China (NCET-07-0474). The authors are thankful to Dr. Mark Fowell and the anonymous reviewers for detecting errors in the original manuscript and suggesting improvements.

Review led by Ted Keith