Film Lubrication in Sleeve Bearings

Abstract The author discusses the design of bearings as based on fluid friction in hydrodynamic films and investigates the limiting design factors in such bearings. He points out that the thickness of the oil film is dependent on the viscosity of the lubricant alone and that this thickness may be controlled, thus making it possible to base the design of a bearing on a minimum thickness of the oil film. Two appendixes conclude the report, one which presents simplified theoretical considerations for the design of film-lubricated bearings while the other explains the highly accurate electromagnetic micrometer used for determining shaft positions in the bearing.