The effect of inlet film boundary conditions on the steady state characteristics of hydrodynamic journal bearings

Abstract

The well-known solutions for the pressure distribution in the lubricating film of a hydrodynamic journal bearing, satisfying the Reynolds boundary conditions, show a sudden change in the pressure gradient at the position of maximum film thickness, which is possible only if the lubricant is added precisely at this position. Since the pressure develops smoothly because of hydrodynamic action, a correction in the Reynolds boundary conditions is proposed and a new solution for the pressure distribution is obtained. The steady state characteristics of a hydrodynamic journal bearing using the new boundary conditions are compared with the well-known characteristics using the Reynolds boundary conditions.