A prediction model for suction cavitation erosion in a journal bearing

Suction damage occurred often in dynamically loaded journal bearings. A new theoretical model, including lubrication module, boundary module and prediction module, was proposed to investigate the suction damage in a journal bearing. The results showed that, a stable cavitation area with steady temperature fields formed in the film rupture region, but no suction cavitation erosion occurred in a constant load journal bearing. It was concluded that, suction cavitation erosion occurred within the region of suction cavitation, and higher dimen-sionless deformation coefficients stood for more muscular suction damage strength within suction cavitation regions. It was beneficial to reduce transient impact force applied to a journal bearing for resisting suction cavitation erosion, leading to an increase of a periodic pressure coefficient.

Automated summary

A new theoretical model was proposed to investigate suction damage in journal bearings, comprising lubrication module, boundary module and prediction module. The study found that a stable cavitation area formed in the film rupture region, but no suction cavitation erosion occurred in a constant load journal bearing. Suction cavitation erosion was observed within the suction cavitation region, with higher dimensionless deformation coefficients indicating stronger suction damage.