Analysis of the Stability of Elliptical Journal Bearings under Vapor Cavitation Erosion

The phenomenon of lubricant cavitation in hydrodynamic bearings and its effect on the stability has been rigorously studied and reported in the literatures. In certain cases, cavitation has significant effect on the dynamic and stability characteristics of the rotor-bearing system. With a proper control of the cavitation condition and groove location, stability can be achieved over a wide range of operating speed, in the case of elliptical journal bearings. On the other hand, the stability is not affected by the presence of vapor cavitation, in the case of multi-lobe journal bearings with the oil supplied at atmospheric pressure. For the unstable, submerged, circular bearings, vapor cavitation phenomena results in a distinctive vibration response observable on the vibration plots. The stability of the elliptical journal bearings under the influence of vapor cavitation erosion was analyzed. It is found that vapor cavitation erosion on elliptical bearings results in instability of the whirling shaft. Collapse of the vapor cavitation bubbles causes erosion wear that falls within the pressure zone of the elliptical bearing, thus causing the instability.