Theoretical modeling of orifice compensated symmetric hole-entry hybrid journal bearings

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present theoretical investigations of the static performance characteristics of orifice compensated symmetric hole-entry hybrid journal bearing considering the combined influence of rise in temperature and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant. Design/methodology/approach: The thermohydrostatic (THS) rheological solution of a hole-entry hybrid journal bearing system requires the simultaneous solution of Reynolds equation, energy equation and conduction equation along with appropriate boundary conditions. In the present study an iterative numerical solution scheme is used to establish pressure and temperature fields in the lubricant fluid-film. Findings: It is found that there is an increase in the oil requirement for a hybrid journal bearing with the specified operating and geometric parameters, when the viscosity of the lubricant decreases due to the rise in temperature and non-Newtonian behavior of the lubricant. Originality/value: The available literature concerning the orifice compensated symmetric hybrid/hydrodynamic journal bearings indicates that the thermal effects together with non-Newtonian behavior of lubricant due to additives mixed in the lubricants have been ignored in the analysis so as to obviate the mathematical complexity.