Performance Characteristics of Noncircular Bearings in Laminar and Turbulent Flow Regimes

Abstract

Using linearized turbulent lubrication theory of Ng and Pan, the modified Reynolds equation has been solved by finite element method using Galerkin's technique. Static and dynamic performance characteristics of the noncircular (two-lobe) bearings have been studied, both for laminar and turbulent flow, in terms of load support, oil flow, fluid film stiffness coefficients, damping coefficients, and critical mass for various Reynolds numbers.