Description

Introduction

The plain hydrodynamic journal bearing configurations are widely being used in engineering

applications due to their ability to provide superior performance and relative ease in

manufacturing. These bearings are subjected to more stringent and severe operating

conditions. When the fluid-film bearings operate under high speed and high load, heat is

generated within the oil film due to the shearing of the lubricant, and the temperature rise of the

lubricating fluid film and the bearing surface takes place. This causes a significant reduction

of the viscosity of the lubricant which in turn reduces the minimum fluid-film thickness. Thus,

the flow field of the lubricant is modified, which affects the bearing performance. Also, the

plain journal-bearing system undergoes elastic deformation when operating under heavy

loads.