Effect of chamfering on side-leakage flow rate of journal bearings

This paper represents a new concept to be used in journal bearings. A chamfer is machined circumferentially at both sides of the bearing inner surface, thus minimizing or almost preventing the side-leakage flow rate in lightly loaded journal bearings. This new concept eliminates the need for sealing and collecting this leakage. The circumferential flow is found to be sufficient to achieve cooling of the bearing. An investigation is carried out both theoretically and experimentally. Solutions are given for chamfered bearings with different length to diameter ratios. different chamfer length to hearing length ratios and finally different chamfer angles. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.