A study of misaligned compliant journal bearings lubricated by non-Newtonian fluid considering surface roughness

To study the static behavior of misaligned journal bearings under heavy loads using a non-Newtonian lubricant (pseudoplastic fluid, the flow behavior obeys a power-law relationship). And the generalized average Reynolds equation for rough journal bearing under pseudoplastic lubricant flow is derived. The establishment method of the model equation adopts the average flow method of Patir and Cheng. The numerical solution of bearing performance parameters applies the finite difference method and the successive over-relaxation method. And surface roughness can partially offset the effects of liner elastic deformation and lubricant shear thinning. The generalized average Reynolds equation derived in this paper is not only used in the research of hydrodynamic lubrication but also can be used in the research of mixed lubrication.

Automated summary

In this study, the static behavior of misaligned journal bearings under heavy loads was investigated using a non-Newtonian lubricant (pseudoplastic fluid with power-law relationship). The generalized average Reynolds equation for rough journal bearing under pseudoplastic lubricant flow was derived, using the average flow method of Patir and Cheng for model equation establishment. The numerical solution of bearing performance parameters was obtained using the finite difference method and the successive over-relaxation method, and it was found that surface roughness could partially compensate for the effects of liner elastic deformation and lubricant shear thinning. The derived generalized average Reynolds equation can be applied not only in the research of hydrodynamic lubrication but also in the research of mixed lubrication.