Abstract:
An effective lubrication of journal bearings is jeopardized due to the formation and
activity of air cavities in the lubricant. Cavitation affects the buildup of hydrodynamic
pressures adversely & lowers the hydrodynamic load carrying capacity of journal
bearing. The cavitation effects are quite pronounced for varying speed and
eccentricity ratios of journal bearing. In an extreme case, cavitation may cause wear
and seizure of the journal bearing. This work will model the cavitation phenomenon
and its effects on the journal bearing lubrication numerically using Universal
Cavitation Algorithm leading to a single Reynolds equation which is valid for both
the full film (liquid) and cavitation zones. The parametric study at commercially
available different lubricating oils for varying eccentricity ratios of the journal to bush
radial clearances will be conducted for optimization under the stated cavitation
conditions for an in-depth analysis for the logical conclusions.
