Performance Analysis of Couple Stress Fluid Operated Elastic Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing

Abstract

Performance of bearings used in modern machinery is significantly affected by the elasticity of the bearing liner and viscosity of the lubricant. This paper considers couple stress fluid (CSF) model of the lubricant along with elasticity of bearing liner. The three dimensional (3-D) model of elasticity is used to consider the effect of elasticity. Finite element method (FEM) has been utilized to comprehend the governing equation of fluid flow in the clearance space between the journal and the bearing. Various performance characteristics such as load capacity, dynamic coefficients and stability parameters have been evaluated for a range of CSF parameter and elasticity parameter. Results show that elasticity and CSF have significant effect on the performance of the journal bearing. Stability of the journal bearing increases as the value of elastic coefficient increases. Further the stability of the elastic journal bearing system is found to be increased by increase in couple stress parameter.