CFD investigation on the influence of jet velocity of oil-jet lubricated ball bearing on the characteristics of lubrication flow field

Oil-jet lubrication which is widely applied in aero engine, turbo machinery, high power transmission system is one of the most common form of the high speed bearing lubrication. The complex oil-air two-phase flow will exist in the cavity of the oil-jet lubricated high speed rolling bearing because of the stirring of the rolling elements and the cage. The characteristics of the two-phase flow field have a decisive influence on heat generation and temperature distribution of the bearing, which affect performance and service life of the bearing sighificantly. Jet velocity is an important factor that affects the oil-air two-phase flow field in the bearing cavity. The VOF method for multiphase flow and the RNG k-3 turbulence model were used. The flow field in the bearing cavity at different operating speeds and jet velocities was numerically calculated and analyzed. The effects of the jet velocity and the operating speed on the oil volume fraction in the bearing cavity and the churning torque were investigated.