Characteristics of Outwardly Pumping Spherical Spiral Groove Bearings : Part 1, Load Capacity

Abstract

The static characteristics of outwardly pumping spherical spiral groove bearings are investigated. Solving the differential equation for a bearing which has an infinite number of grooves, we obtain the axial load capacity and the total liquid flow under radially concentric operating conditions. The effects of the bearing parameters on the load capacity and the liquid flow are examined. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical ones. Although the axial load capacity of an outwardly pumping spherical spiral groove bearing is a fraction of that of an inwardly pumping one, and outwardly pumping spherical spiral groove bearing has enough load capacity.