Performance of slot-entry hybrid journal bearings considering combined influences of thermal effects and non-Newtonian behavior of lubricant

This paper presents theoretical investigations of the thermal and rheological effects of lubricant on the performance of symmetric and asymmetric slot-entry hybrid journal bearing system. FEM has been used to solve the Reynolds equation governing flow of lubricant in bearing clearance space along with restrictor flow equation, energy equation and conduction equation using suitable iterative technique. The thermohydrostatic (THS) rheological performance of slot-entry hybrid journal bearings are studied for small temperature variation of the lubricant. The computed results reveal that variation of viscosity due to temperature rise and non-Newtonian behavior of lubricant affects the bearing performance quite significantly.