S1140303 Growth of Cavitation in journal bearing : Effect of cavitation on bearing performance

The behavior of growth of cavitation formed in the journal bearing was investigated in order to understand effect on the bearing performance. The journal bearing test apparatus in which the bearing was made of transparent acrylic plastic, was used in this study. The cavitation in the lubrication area was observed by two cameras, and the florescence method was used in order to separate cavity area from the lubrication film. The results show that the cavity is formed by the bubble occurred at the edge of the bearing side, and the angle of start and end position of cavity is changed to smaller by increasing the weight from 20 N to 40 N. It is also shown that the cavity region increases with time at a constant load of 45N, and the eccentricity ratio and the attitude angle is also changed during the same time. These results suggest that the cavity region largely affects the eccentricity ratio and the attitude angle.