Abstract
This article presents a study of cavitation effects associated with the performance of fluid-film journal bearings subjected to fully reversing sinusoidal loading. Employing an established mass-conserving cavitation algorithm, it is observed that periodic time histories of journal eccentricity and maximum film pressure are strongly influenced by the process of cavitation formation and collapse. A new set of design charts for the prediction of cyclic-minimum film thickness is provided over a range of nondimensional loads, bearing geometric parameters, feed hole orientations, and cavitation threshold pressures typically found in practice. Good agreement of numerical and experimental results is obtained over a large range of loads for cavitation threshold pressure values typically associated with vaporous cavitation.
Review led by Michael Khonsari