A study of non-recessed hybrid flexible journal bearing with different restrictors

For bearings operating under heavy loads, the elastic deformation of bearing surface induced by fluid film pressures can no longer be neglected as it is comparable to the order of magnitude of fluid film thickness. In the present work a theoretical study describing comparative performance of non-recessed hybrid journal bearing using different flow control devices has been carried out by considering bearing shell flexibility into the analysis. The relevant governing equations have been solved using finite element method. The comparative performance of non-recessed hybrid journal bearings of two separate configurations have been studied for various values of bearing flexibility parameter (((C) over bar (d))). The results have been presented for hole-entry type journal bearings compensated by capillary, orifice and constant flow valve restrictors and for a slot-entry type journal bearing, for the same set of values of operating and geometric parameters. The computed results indicates that in order to get an improved performance of non-recessed journal bearing, a proper selection of bearing flexibility parameter (((C) over bar (d))) along with type of flow control device (i.e., capillary, orifice, constant flow valve, slot etc.) and type of bearing configuration (symmetric/asymmetric) are essential.