A comparative performance assessment of a hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated with oil and magnetorheological fluid

This work presents the investigation results of a journal bearing lubricated with magnetorheological fluid that is activated by a local constant magnetic field to vary both the local flow resistance and pressure. The bearing performance is assessed via Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and results are corroborated by experiments. The FEM model uses the Bingham model to describe the fluid film. A dedicated test rig is used to assess the hydrodynamic behavior of the bearing with magnetorheological fluid, and the results are compared with the same geometrical bearing lubricated with oil. Thicker fluid films at low speeds, beneficial pressure distribution, and higher friction losses under all operating conditions are observed in the bearing with magnetorheological fluid compared to the oil lubrication.

Automated summary

The study investigates the performance of a journal bearing lubricated with magnetorheological fluid using Finite Element Modelling (FEM) and experiments. Thicker fluid films, beneficial pressure distribution, and higher friction losses are observed in the bearing with magnetorheological fluid compared to oil lubrication, under all operating conditions.