Numerical Study on the Bearing Capacity of Lubricant Film in Journal Bearing with Micro-textured Surface

Abstract For studying the hydrodynamic lubrication performance of micro-textured radial journal bearings, a numerical model of hydrodynamic lubrication for journal bearings was established first. Solve the established numerical model using FDM, and the lubricant film pressure distribution and static characteristics of bearings were obtained. Considering the processing cost and feasibility of the processing technology, the cylindrical texture arranged in the radial of the bearing shell surface is applied, the lubricant film thickness equation considering the micro-texture is introduced into the Reynolds equation. According to the height and distribution density of microstructure, the bearing capacity parameters were obtained. The load-carrying capacity of micro structure journal bearing is significantly higher than that of plain bearing. In this paper, a practical model with cylindrical micro-textured surface is given for journal bearing applications with high capacity demand.