Hysteresis Phenomenon of Hydrodynamic Lubrication Characteristics of Seal-Type Dimple Bearings

This study involved an experimental investigation of the hydrodynamic lubrication performance of dimpled seal-like thrust bearings. Circular dimples were created on lubricating surfaces and the hydrodynamic effects were evaluated. The load-carrying capacity and frictional torque were measured under a constant film thickness. The lubricating surface was observed to make clear the effect of the cavitation area on the load-carrying capacity and the frictional torque. Dimpled specimen produced the load-carrying capacity and it showed a signature hysteresis phenomenon. Cavitation strongly affected the phenomenon. In addition, the dimpled specimen could reduce the frictional torque compared with the plane (dimple-free) specimen. However, the hysteresis phenomenon of the frictional torque was not clear compared with that of the load-carrying capacity.