Optimum shape design for surface of a thermohydrodynamic lubrication slider bearing

This paper utilises a thermohydrodynamic model of bearing to optimise the shape of slider bearing. Friction is minimised subject to load and centre of pressure requirements using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. A generalised Reynolds equation is solved simultaneously with an energy equation using the finite volume method to obtain bearing characteristics, such as friction, load and centre of pressure. Results show that the coefficient of friction is reduced by the optimisation approach. Results also show that larger temperature-viscosity coefficient and inlet viscosity tend to yield smaller optimal friction, whereas larger thermal conductivity tends to yield larger optimal friction. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.