Operator-splitting method for the analysis of cavitation in liquid-lubricated herringbone grooved journal bearings

• Published in: International journal for numerical methods in fluids Vol. 44; no. 7; pp. 765 - 775
• Main Authors: Jiankang, Wu, Anfeng, Li, Lee, T. S., Shu, C., Junmei, Wan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 10.03.2004; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bearings, bushings, rolling bearings; Cavitation; Computational methods in fluid dynamics; Drives; Drops and bubbles; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); herringbone grooved journal bearing; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Nonhomogeneous flows; operator-splitting method; Physics; universal Reynolds equation; Hydrodynamic lubrication; Herringbone joint; Computational fluid dynamics; Shear flow; Digital simulation; Pressure distribution; Operator splitting; Liquid films; Cavitation; Journal bearings; Finite difference method; Upwind scheme
• ISSN: 0271-2091; 1097-0363
• DOI: 10.1002/fld.675

This paper presents an operator‐splitting method (OSM) for the solution of the universal Reynolds equation. Jakobsson–Floberg–Olsson (JFO) pressure conditions are used to study cavitation in liquid‐lubricated journal bearings. The shear flow component of the oil film is first solved by a modified upwind finite difference method. The solution of the pressure gradient flow component is computed by the Galerkin finite element method. Present OSM solutions for slider bearings are in good agreement with available analytical and experimental results. OSM is then applied to herringbone grooved journal bearings. The film pressure, cavitation areas, load capacity and attitude angle are obtained with JFO pressure conditions. The calculated load capacities are in agreement with available experimental data. However, a detailed comparison of the present results with those predicted using Reynolds pressure conditions shows some differences. The numerical results showed that the load capacity and the critical mass of the journal (linear stability indicator) are higher and the attitude angle is lower than those predicted by Reynolds pressure conditions for cases of high eccentricities. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.