MHD Journal Bearing in a Magnetic Field Perpendicular to Its Axis : 2nd Report, Experiment with Mercury

Abstract

This paper deals with an experimental study on the MHD journal bearing, theoretically analysed in the 1st report, in a magnetic field perpendicular and an external electric current parallel, respectively, to its axis, with mercury as a lubricant. The results are compared with those of the theoretical ones, obtained in the previous paper. The bearing used is of diameter 20mm and of length 40mm. The load-carrying capacity is found to be twice that of a normal bearing under the magnetic field intensity of 5000 Gauss and electric current of 10A. The loadcarrying capacity Measured in this experiment is found to be qualitatively in agreement with the theroetical result in the region of small eccentricity ratios, though with a small difference quantitatively. However, in the region of large eccentricity ratios, the experimental results are found to be in agreement with those of the theoretical analysis qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Thus, this type of the MHD journal bearing is seen to be applicable in practice.