Stability analysis of journal bearing using finite element modelling

This paper presents the dynamic behavior of journal in the journal bearing system. To get the pressure distribution in the clearance space of the journal bearing, the two dimensional Reynolds equation is solved by the finite element method. The flow field has been discretized in to 112 elements by using four noded isoparametric elements in the finite element analysis. By giving to the journal small petrubution, the out of balance forces are computed interms of stiffness and damping coefficients. By discretizing time and numerically integrating the equations of motion either for the linearized or nonlinear journal bearing system, the locus of journal centre is predicted in the wake of distrubance. From the locus of journal center, the stability of the system is checked and a greater insight into the dynamic characteristics of journal bearing system is studied.