On the Vaporization of the Oil Film in the Short Journal Bearing with a Circumferential Oil Groove

Abstract

A new method of predicting the shape of the oil film cavity in the diverging region of a short journal bearing with a circumferential oil groove is presented. The first term of the Reynolds' equation was neglected for mathematical simplicity, thus simulating the infinitely short bearing. The pressure distribution, load capacity and attitude angle were also discussed. Some numerical calculations were made to predict the shape of the cavity, and some experimental observations were done to compare with the theory. The transparent bearings were made and the actual cavitation was observed. The experiments showed that there is a good agreement between the theory and the experiment.