applied

sciences
Article
Study on Lubrication Performance of Journal Bearing
with Multiple Texture Distributions
Jun Wang 1,2 , Junhong Zhang 1,2 , Jiewei Lin 1, * and Liang Ma 1,3, *
1 State Key Laboratory of Engine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; wjun@tju.edu.cn (J.W.);
zhangjh@tju.edu.cn (J.Z.)
2 Renai College, Tianjin University, Tianjin 301636, China
3 College of Aeronautical Engineering, Civil Aviation University of China, Tianjin 300300, China
* Correspondence: linjiewei@tju.edu.cn (J.L.); mliang@tju.edu.cn (L.M.); Tel.: +86-137-5235-6026 (J.L.);
+86-186-2261-5726 (L.M.)

Received: 2 January 2018; Accepted: 1 February 2018; Published: 6 February 2018

Abstract: The lubrication performance of journal bearings with different sorts of uniformly distributed
micro-spherical textures are studied in this paper. Geometries and dynamic models of journal bearings
with pure concave/convex textures are developed. The validity of the proposed models is verified
against the oil film pressure distribution from the literature. The effects of geometry parameters
(the texture depth and the area density) on the load capacity and the friction coefficient of the bearing
are analyzed and discussed. Results indicate that: the bearing load capacity is reduced by the concave
spherical texture, but enhanced by the convex texture; both the concave and convex textures have
a very slight influence on the friction coefficient. Aiming to further improve the bearing lubrication
performance, a novel concave-convex composite texture is proposed and modelled. Results show
that the composite texture can significantly improve both the load capacity and the friction coefficient,
because the concave spherical segments among the convex ones protect the oil film from rupture near
the main load region. The oil film region is expanded by the composite texture as well.

Keywords: micro-spherical texture; concave texture; convex texture; journal bearing; load capacity;
friction coefficient; oil film

1. Introduction
Surface texture refers to the micro-concave/convex morphology. An appropriate surface texture
can effectively reduce the wear of the friction pair and improve the load capacity of the oil film [1–4].
Hamilton et al. [5] proposed a liquid lubrication theory applicable to parallel surfaces and
explained the lubrication mechanism based on surface micro-irregularities. This theory is in reasonable
qualitative agreement with experimental results. Since then, the usage of the texture of technology to
improve lubrication performance has aroused great interest among researchers. Etsion [6] found that
micro-dimples on the friction surface were able to significantly improve the load capacity, the wear
resistance and the friction coefficient compared with the non-textured components. This beneficial
effect was verified experimentally using the Laser Surface Texturing (LST) technique.
The effects of different texture shapes and distributions on the lubrication characteristics of
bearing have also been investigated. Cupillard [7] studied the effect of the dimple distribution and
position on the dynamic lubrication characteristics of bearings using the computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) method. It was found that the optimal distribution of dimples on the bearing surface depends
on the operating conditions. When the eccentricity changes, the optimal location of the deep dimple
changes accordingly. Brizmer [8] studied the effect of distribution and size of spherical texture on the
load capacity of a sliding bearing. The optimum parameters of the dimples and the favorable LST
mode for achieving maximum load capacity were found. Tala-Ighil et al. [9] studied the hydrodynamic

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244; doi:10.3390/app8020244 www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 2 of 13

effect of a few deterministic texture shapes of a journal bearing, and found that the parallelepiped
texture shows advantages in enhancing the bearing performance compared with other geometries.
Based on the Reynolds equation, Rahmani et al. [10] used the genetic algorithm to study the effect of
the cross-section shape of concave/convex textures on the lubrication performance of an infinitely
wide journal bearing. The results showed that the convex texture was better than the concave texture
at minimizing the friction factor and simultaneously maximizing the bearing capacity.
Increasing attention has been given to partial textures, which is an effective approach to improving
bearing performance. Brizmer et al. [11] presented a partial texture that was able to significantly
increase the load capacity. Rao et al. [12] developed a theoretical model of a partially textured slip
slider and coupled stress fluid lubricated journal bearing. It was found that the partially textured slip
was able to effectively improve the load capacity and reduce the friction coefficient.
From this literature review, it can be concluded that the concave/convex surface texture has
attracted a lot of attention in the last two decades, and can serve as a micro hydrodynamic bearing to
provide additional load capacity. The effects of texture shape, texture size, and texture distribution on
load capacity have been systematically studied. Thus, the concave/convex surface texture seems to
be a good candidate to improve the load capacity of bearing. However, apart from that, the friction
coefficient is another important factor affecting the lubrication performance of bearing. However,
the effect of concave or convex textures on the friction coefficient is not very significant, and is
sometimes not even beneficial [13,14]. In 2011, Adatepe [13] conducted numerous experiments to
investigate the performances of plain and micro-grooved journal bearings, in which the micro-grooves
were made by cutting micro-channels around and across the journal bearing surfaces. The results
showed that the friction coefficients of the journal bearings with micro-grooved textures were higher
than those without texture. Furthermore, Adatepe [14] used various numerical methods to study the
performances of plain, circumferential micro-grooved, herringbone micro-grooved, and transversally
micro-grooved bearings. The bearings were then ranked in descending order by friction coefficients as
follows: the transversally micro-grooved bearing, the herringbone bearing, the circumferential bearing
and the plain bearing.
In this paper, mathematical models are developed to estimate the lubrication performance of
journal bearings with surface textures. After validating the dynamic model, the effects of concave and
convex spherical textures on the bearing lubrication performance are studied. On this basis, a novel
concave-convex composite texture is further presented to improve the load capacity and the friction
coefficient at the same time. Then, the effects of the composite texture characteristics on the lubrication
performances are analyzed.

2. Simulation Model

2.1. Geometry of the Journal Bearing

Figure 1 shows the schematic of a journal bearing. The shaft rotates inside the bearing with
a constant angular velocity ω. Points O1 and O2 correspond to the centers of the bearing and the
shaft. The radii of the bearing and the shaft are R and r, respectively. ψ is the angle between the load
direction and the centerline O1 O2 , and e is the eccentricity. The radial clearance is c = R − r and the
eccentric ratio is ε = e/c.
Assuming the radial clearance c of the journal bearing is much smaller than its radius
( c/R ∼ 10 − 3), the local clearance distribution for an untextured bearing can be approximated
as [15]:
h0 = c(1 + ε cos ψ), (1)
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 3 of 13
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 3 of 13

Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 3 of 13

Figure 1. Schematic of the journal bearing.

Figure 1. Schematic of the journal bearing.
2.2. Journal Bearing Model with Spherical Texture
2.2. Journal Bearing Model with Spherical Texture
Figure 2a shows the meshing scheme of the journal bearing, which is spread out in the
circumferential
Figure 2a shows direction. The bearing
the meshing scheme is uniformly meshed
of the journal an M which
bearing, times N grid along
is spread out the
in the
circumferential and the axial Figure 1. Schematic
directions, of the journal
respectively. bearing. every texture is simulated by
Furthermore,
circumferential direction. The bearing is uniformly meshed an M times N grid along the circumferential
spherical
and the axial segments consisting
directions, of 10Furthermore,
respectively. squares alongevery and z isdirections,
the xtexture simulatedasby seen in Figure
spherical 2b.
segments
2.2. Journal Bearing Model with Spherical Texture
Every texture is simulated by a spherical segment consisting of the base radius rb and the texture
consisting of 10 squares along the x and z directions, as seen in Figure 2b. Every texture is simulated by
Figure 2a shows
in the the meshing scheme ofrectangular
the journalgrid.
bearing, iswhich
thehoilislocated
spread out inwithout
the
a spherical hp located
depth segment consisting center of an
of the imaginary
base radius rb and the
circumferential direction. The bearing is uniformly
textureh0depth
meshed an M times
film thickness
p N gridinalong the center
the
of an
texture
imaginary and ( x
rectangular0 , z0 ) are
grid.
circumferential and the axial the
h 0 coordinates
is the oil filmof the texture
thickness center.
without texture and
directions, respectively. Furthermore, every texture ( x , z ) are the
0 0is simulated bycoordinates
of the texture
For acenter.
spherical journal
segments bearing with spherical
consisting texture,
of 10 squares along the x and
Equation z directions,
(1) can be updatedasasseen follows:
in Figure 2b.
ForEvery texture
a journal is simulated
bearing with by a spherical
spherical segment
texture, consisting
Equation ofcan
(1) the be
base r
radius basand
updated the texture
follows:
h=h ±y, 0 (2)
depth hp located in the center of an imaginary rectangular grid. h0 is the oil film thickness without
The right side of the equation takes ahpositive
texture and ( x0 , z0 ) are the coordinates of the h0 ±sign
=texture y, when the spherical texture is convex and (2)
center.
takes a negative sign when the spherical texture is concave. y is the coordinate of the bearing in the
For a journal bearing with spherical texture, Equation (1) can be updated as follows:
The right
radial side of(see
direction theFigure
equation
2b): takes a positive sign when the spherical texture is convex and takes
h = h0 ± y ,
a negative sign when the spherical texture is concave. y is the coordinate of the bearing in(2)
the radial
hp 2 + rp 2 2 2 2
hp 2 + rp 2
direction (see
TheFigure y = ( takes a) positive
2b):of the equation
right side − ( x − x0 sign
) − (when
z − z0 ) the
− spherical, texture is convex and(3)
2hp texture is concave. y is the coordinate
takes a negative sign when the spherical 2h p of the bearing in the
v
radial direction (see Figure
u 2b): 2
u 2 hp + rp2 2 2 hp2 + rp2
y = t( 2) − 2 ( x − x0 ) − ( z − z0 ) − , (3)
2h p hp + rp 2 2 2
hp + rp 2 2h p
2

y= ( ) − ( x − x0 ) − ( z − z0 ) − , (3)
2h p 2h p

(a)

(a)

Figure 2. Cont.
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 4 of 13
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 4 of 13

(b)
Figure 2. Journal
Figure 2. Journal bearing
bearingmodel
modelwith
withspherical
spherical texture:
texture: (a)(a) schematic
schematic of the
of the bearing
bearing model
model and and (b)
(b) grid
grid details of different textures.
details of different textures.

2.3. Numerical Solution

2.3. Numerical Solution
For a journal bearing under stable working conditions, the two-dimensional Reynolds equation
For a journal bearing under stable working conditions, the two-dimensional Reynolds equation
can be expressed in the following form [16]:
can be expressed in the following form [16]:
∂ h3 ∂p ∂ h3 ∂p ∂h
∂ h3( ∂p ) +∂ h( 3 ∂p ) = 6U ∂h , (4)
∂(X η ∂)X+ ∂Z( η ∂Z) = 6U ∂X , (4)
∂X η ∂X ∂Z η ∂Z ∂X
where p is the oil film pressure at a specific point on the bearing surface, U is the linear sliding
where p is the oil film pressure at a specific point on the bearing surface, U is the linear sliding velocity
velocity of the shaft relative to the bearing and η is the dynamic viscosity of the lubricant.
of the shaft relative to the bearing and η is the dynamic viscosity of the lubricant.
• Solution of the Reynolds equation
• Solution of the Reynolds equation
(a) The Reynolds boundary is applied in the bearing modelling process. The effect of cavitation is
not
(a) included in the analysis,
The Reynolds boundaryeither in terms
is applied inof
thethe single-phase
bearing analysis
modelling used
process. or effect
The in theof
application
cavitation
of the boundary conditions,
is not included which iseither
in the analysis, considered
in termsinofa the
thermo-hydrodynamic
single-phase analysisanalysis
used orof
in the
bearingapplication
with the CFD approach [17,18].
of the boundary conditions, which is considered in a thermo-hydrodynamic
XOZ plane,
(b) In the analysis of thethe journal
bearing bearing
with the CFD is meshed
approach into m and n grids along the X and Z
[17,18].
directions,
(b) where m is 10 × M and n is 10 × N .
In the XOZ plane, the journal bearing is meshed into m and n grids along the X and Z
(c) The five-points
directions,difference
where mmethod
is 10 × M is used
and ntois discretize
10 × N. Equation (4). The symmetric successive
over
(c) relaxation (SSOR) difference
The five-points method is used
method to solve
is usedthetodiscrete algebraic
discretize system
Equation (4).ofThe
equations and
symmetric
the pressure p is obtained.
successive over relaxation (SSOR) method is used to solve the discrete algebraic system of
• equations
Solution and the
of lubrication pressure pofisthe
parameters obtained.
journal bearing
• Load
(a) Solution of lubrication
capacity parameters
of the journal of the journal bearing
bearing
The calculated oil film pressure p is numerically integrated in the whole fluid domain along
(a) Load capacity of the journal bearing
the X and Y directions, and the load capacities WX and WY can be obtained as follows:
L
2π R
W X =  2L (  p cosψ dX )dZ
− 0
2
, (5)
L
2π R
WY =  ( 
2
L p sin ψ dX )dZ
− 0
2
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 5 of 13

The calculated oil film pressure p is numerically integrated in the whole fluid domain along
the X and Y directions, and the load capacities WX and WY can be obtained as follows:

R L R 2πR
2
WX = ( p cos ψdX )dZ
− L2 0
R L R 2πR , (5)
2
WY = ( p sin ψdX )dZ
− L2 0
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 5 of 13

In both In boththe
cases, cases,
totalthe total
load capacity W andWthe
load capacity and the attitude
attitude angle angle
can becan be calculated
calculated as: as:
2
W =W W=X +WWXY 22 +
p
, WY 2 , (6)(6)

X
X
ψ= , (7)
ψ= , R (7)
R
(b) Friction coefficient
(b) Friction coefficient
The shear shearτstress
Thestress τ of
of the theplane
slip slip plane between
between the friction
the friction pairs pairs
can becan be given
given as [19]:
as [19]:
h ∂p h η
∂p η
τ = τ = + U+, U, (8)(8)
2 ∂X 2 ∂X
h h
The friction force Fforce
The friction canFbecan
expressed as theasintegral
be expressed of theofshear
the integral stressstress
the shear on theonslip
theplane:
slip plane:
x p h η∂p  η 
h ∂
F =F= + U+  dXdZ , (9)(9)
h  h U dXdZ,
 2 ∂X 2 ∂X

According to Equations (6) and (9), the expression of the friction coefficient μ can be given as:
According to Equations (6) and (9), the expression of the friction coefficient µ can be
given as: F
μ= , F (10)
Wµ= . (10)
W

3. Model
3. ModelVerification
Verification
To verify
To verifythe
theproposed
proposedmodel modelof of
thethe journal
journal bearing
bearing withwith textures,
textures, the results
the results fromare
from [20] [20] are
used.
used. A group of dimensionless parameters characterizing the journal bearing are
A group of dimensionless parameters characterizing the journal bearing are given as follows: the given as follows:
the eccentricity
eccentricity ratio ratio is the
is 0.65, 0.65,width-radius
the width-radius
ratio isratio
1, theisdimensionless
1, the dimensionless textureis depth
texture depth is the
0.5, and 0.5,
and the dimensionless
dimensionless sphericalspherical textureisradius
texture radius is 128.
128. The gridThe grid amounts
amounts = 600
are m are m =and600 nand= 200
n= 200.
. The
The distributions of the oil film pressure from the simulation of this study and from the
distributions of the oil film pressure from the simulation of this study and from the literature are literature are
shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the calculated oil film pressure agrees with the tested
shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the calculated oil film pressure agrees with the tested data well, data well,
which verifies
which verifies the
the validity
validity ofof the
the proposed
proposed method.
method.

Figure
Figure3.3.Comparison
Comparisonofofcircumferential
circumferentialfilm
filmpressure
pressure distributions
distributions between proposed model
between proposed model and
and[20].
[20].

4. Lubrication of the Concave/Convex Textured Bearing

The numerical simulation in this study is initiated with the following parameters: (i) the radius
of the journal bearing R is 0.035 m, (ii) the width of the journal bearing L is 0.0656 m, (iii) the radial
clearance c is 5 × 10−5 m, (iv) the eccentric ratio ε is 0.65, (v) the linear sliding velocity of the shaft
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 6 of 13

4. Lubrication of the Concave/Convex Textured Bearing

The numerical simulation in this study is initiated with the following parameters: (i) the radius
of the journal bearing R is 0.035 m; (ii) the width of the journal bearing L is 0.0656 m; (iii) the radial
clearance c is 5 × 10−5 m; (iv) the eccentric ratio ε is 0.65; (v) the linear sliding velocity of the shaft
relative to the bearing U is 0.5 m/s; (vi) the dynamic viscosity of the lubricant η is 0.028 Pa·s; and (vii)
a convergence study concerning the mesh size is investigated, the suitable numbers of grids m and n
are 310 and 100, respectively. The texture is uniformly arranged on the inner wall of the bearing, and
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 6 of 13
there are 31 spherical segments along the X direction and 10 spherical segments along the Z direction.
bearing, and there are 31 spherical segments along the X direction and 10 spherical segments along
4.1. Effect
theofZTexture Depth
direction.
−7
With
4.1. aEffect
fixed Depth λ of 0.5, simulations with different texture depths h p from 5 × 10
area density
of Texture
to 3 × 10 − 6 m are performed. The load capacity W and the friction coefficient µ of the plain
With a fixed area density λ of 0.5, simulations with different texture depths hp from 5 × 10−7
bearing, the concave textured bearing, and the convex textured bearing are plotted in Figure 4.
to 3 × 10−6 m are performed. The load capacity W and the friction coefficient μ of the plain bearing,
For h p = 5 × 10−7 m, the load capacity of the bearing with convex texture is the highest, that of the
the concave textured bearing, and the convex textured bearing are plotted in Figure 4. For
plain bearing is−7 in the middle, and that of the concave textured bearing is the lowest. The load
hp = 5 ×10 m , the load capacity of the bearing with convex texture is the highest, that of the plain
capacity of the bearing with convex spherical texture increases with increasing texture depth h p from
bearing
7 m to is3 in the middle, and that of the concave textured bearing is the lowest. The load capacity of
5 × 10−the × 10−6 m, while that of the concave textured bearing decreases in the same case.
bearing with convex spherical texture increases with increasing texture depth hp from 5 × 10−7 m
Taking the load−6 capacity of the plain bearing (1014 N) as the baseline value, when the texture depth h p
to 3 × 10 m, while that of the concave textured bearing decreases in the same case. Taking the load
is increased −6 m, the load capacity of the convex textured bearing (1171 N) greatly improves
to 3of×the10plain
capacity bearing (1014 N) as the baseline value, when the texture depth hp is increased
by 7.93%,to 3 while
× 10−6 m, that
the of the
load concave
capacity textured
of the bearingbearing
convex textured decreases
(1171 by
N) 6.54%. The friction
greatly improves coefficient,
by 7.93%,
seen in while
Figure that4b, is not
of the affected
concave by bearing
textured the texture depth
decreases as much
by 6.54%. The as the loading
friction capacity.
coefficient, The friction
seen in Figure
coefficient
4b, isofnot
the convex
affected by textured
the texturebearing
depth as reduces with
much as the increasing
loading capacity.area
The density, but the decrement
friction coefficient of the is
convex
slight, and thattextured
of thebearing
concave reduces with increasing
textured area density,
bearing increases but the
a little decrement
bit. The lowestis slight, and that
friction coefficient
of the concave textured bearing increases a little bit. The lowest friction
of the convex textured bearing can be achieved (0.072) at h p = 3 × 10−6coefficient of the convex
m, the improvement is only
textured bearing can be achieved (0.072) at hp = 3 ×10−6 m , the improvement is only 0.96% comparing
0.96% comparing with the plain bearing (0.0727), and that of the concave (0.0728) gets even worse, but
also to awith the plain bearing (0.0727), and that of the concave (0.0728) gets even worse, but also to a trivial
trivial degree of 0.14%.
degree of 0.14%.

(a)

(b)
Figure 4. Effect of the texture depth on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.
Figure 4. Effect of the texture depth on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.
4.2. Effect of Area Density
In the case of 2 × 10−6 m texture depth, simulations with different area densities λ from 0.03 to
0.8 are performed, and the load capacity W and the friction coefficient μ of the plain bearing, the
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 7 of 13

4.2. Effect of Area Density

−6
In the
Appl. Sci. 8, x of 2 × 10
2018,case m texture depth, simulations with different area densities λ from 0.03 7toof0.8 13
are performed, and the load capacity W and the friction coefficient µ of the plain bearing, the concave
texturedtextured
concave bearing bearing
and the andconvex the textured bearingbearing
convex textured are plotted in Figure
are plotted in 5. From5.Figure
Figure 5a, it can
From Figure 5a,be
it
observed
can that thethat
be observed loadthecapacity of the bearing
load capacity of the with convex
bearing withspherical texture increases
convex spherical texture with increasing
increases with
area densityarea
increasing λ from 0.03 to
density λ 0.8,
fromwhile
0.03that withwhile
to 0.8, the concave spherical
that with texturespherical
the concave decreasestexture
with the increase
decreases
of area
with thedensity
increasein of
thearea
same range.inFor
density = 0.8,range.
theλ same the load λ = 0.8 ,ofthe
Forcapacity theload
convex textured
capacity of thebearing
convexis
1173 N, and
textured the increment
bearing is 1173 N,isand 8.11%,
the relative
increment to the plain bearing
is 8.11%, relative(1085
to theN). With
plain the same
bearing areaN).
(1085 density,
With
the same
the load capacity of the
area density, concave
the textured
load capacity bearing
of the concavedecreases
texturedto bearing
1010 N by 6.91% relative
decreases to 1010 to
N bythe6.91%
plain
bearing.to
relative From Figurebearing.
the plain 5b, it is shown that the5b,
From Figure friction coefficient
it is shown that of
thethe concave
friction textured of
coefficient bearing hardly
the concave
changes with
textured changing
bearing hardlyarea density,
changes with and that of the
changing areaconvex
density,textured
and that bearing
of thedecreases with increasing
convex textured bearing
area density,
decreases withbut the beneficial
increasing effect is very
area density, slight.
but the For λ =
beneficial 0.8, is
effect compared with
very slight. Fortheλplain
= 0.8 bearing,
, compared the
friction
with thecoefficient of thethe
plain bearing, concave
frictiontextured bearing
coefficient of theincreases
concave bytextured
0.28% tobearing
0.0729, and that ofby
increases the convex
0.28% to
textured
0.0729, bearing
and that ofdecreases
the convex by textured
0.96% to bearing
0.072. decreases by 0.96%to 0.072.

(a)

(b)
Figure
Figure 5.
5. Effect
Effectof
of texture
texture area
area density
density on
on (a)
(a) the
the load
load capacity
capacity and
and (b)
(b) the
the friction
friction coefficient.
coefficient.

5. Concave-Convex Composite Spherical Texture

5. Concave-Convex Composite Spherical Texture
The relationships between texture parameters and lubrication performances of the journal
The relationships between texture parameters and lubrication performances of the journal bearing
bearing are found based on the above analysis. It is indicated that, with a pure texture form (pure
are found based on the above analysis. It is indicated that, with a pure texture form (pure convex or
convex or pure concave), the friction coefficient is hardly influenced, regardless of the parameter type
pure concave), the friction coefficient is hardly influenced, regardless of the parameter type and value.
and value. However, the friction coefficient is an important factor that should be reduced in the case
However, the friction coefficient is an important factor that should be reduced in the case of journal
of journal bearing lubrication. To this end, a concave-convex composite spherical texture is presented
bearing lubrication. To this end, a concave-convex composite spherical texture is presented in this
in this section. The composite texture distribution along the circumference direction is shown in
section. The composite texture distribution along the circumference direction is shown in Figure 6a,
Figure 6a, where the red solid dot indicates the convex texture and the hollow dot represents the
where the red solid dot indicates the convex texture and the hollow dot represents the concave texture.
concave texture. Two rows of concave spherical segments are arranged near the main loading region
and the convex spherical segments are used elsewhere. The blue dashed line in Figure 6a is the
circumferential film pressure distribution. It can be seen that the film pressure reaches the peak at the
boundary where the texture type alternates from convex to concave, and drops sharply near the
region where the texture type changes back from concave to convex. Figure 6b is the circumferential
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 8 of 13

Two rows of concave spherical segments are arranged near the main loading region and the convex
spherical segments are used elsewhere. The blue dashed line in Figure 6a is the circumferential film
pressure distribution. It can be seen that the film pressure reaches the peak at the boundary where the
texture type alternates from convex to concave, and drops sharply near the region where the texture
type changes back from concave to convex. Figure 6b is the circumferential film thickness distribution
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 8 of 13
diagram, in which the red line above the blue line represents the film thickness at the position of the
concave spherical
thickness segment,
at the position of and
the that below
concave the bluesegment,
spherical line represents the below
and that film thickness
the blueatline
the represents
position of
the film
the convex spherical
thickness segment.
at the position of the convex spherical segment.

(a)

(b)
Figure 6. Distribution
Figure 6. Distributionof of concave-convex
concave-convex composite
composite spherical
spherical texture:
texture: (a) circumferential
(a) circumferential film
film pressure
pressure distribution, (b) circumferential film thickness distribution
distribution, (b) circumferential film thickness distribution diagram. diagram.

To discuss the lubrication performance of the composite texture, comparisons between the plain,
To discuss the lubrication performance of the composite texture, comparisons between the plain,
the convex, and the composite textured bearings are carried out. The pure concave texture case is not
the convex, and the composite textured bearings are carried out. The pure concave texture case is not
considered, because its lubrication performance has already been found to be the worst.
considered, because its lubrication performance has already been found to be the worst.
5.1. Effect of Texture Depth
5.1. Effect of Texture Depth
With a fixed area density λ of 0.5, simulations with different texture depths hp from 5 × 10−−77
With a fixed area density λ of 0.5, simulations with different texture depths h p from 5 × 10
to
to 3 ×1010
3 × −6− m6m areare
performed.
performed.TheThe
load capacity
load capacityW Wand
andthe
thefriction coefficientμµ of
coefficient
friction of the
the bearing
bearing with
with
concave-convex
concave-convex compositecompositespherical
sphericaltexture,
texture,convex
convexspherical
sphericaltexture
texture and
and no
no texture
texture are
are plotted
plotted in
in
Figure
Figure 7.7. ItIt is
is found
found that
that the
the load
load capacities
capacities of
of the
the convex
convex and
and the
the composite
composite textured
textured bearings
bearings both
both
increase
increase with
with increasing
increasing texture depth. The
The increment
increment of
of the
the composite
composite texture
texture is
is slightly
slightly higher
higher than
than
that of the convex texture. The load capacities of both sorts of textured bearing reach the maximum
value at hp = 3 ×10−6 m together. The load capacity of the composite textured bearing is greatly
improved to 1173 N by 8.11% relative to that of the plain bearing (1085 N), and the improvement of
the convex textured bearing is quite similar (7.9%).
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 9 of 13

that of the convex texture. The load capacities of both sorts of textured bearing reach the maximum
value at h p = 3 × 10−6 m together. The load capacity of the composite textured bearing is greatly
improved to 1173 N by 8.11% relative to that of the plain bearing (1085 N), and the improvement of
the convex textured bearing is quite similar (7.9%).
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 9 of 13

(a)

(b)
Figure 7. Effect of texture depth on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.
Figure 7. Effect of texture depth on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.

In the texture depth range considered, the initial friction coefficient (at hp = 5 ×10−7 m ) of the
In the texture depth range considered, the initial friction coefficient (at h p = 5 × 10−7 m) of the
composite textured bearing is lower than those of plain bearing and the convex textured bearing. The
composite textured bearing is lower than those of plain bearing and the convex textured bearing.
friction coefficients of the bearings with the composite texture and the convex texture both decrease
The friction coefficients of the bearings with the composite texture and the convex texture both decrease
with increasing texture depth. However, Figure 7b clearly shows an obviously greater reduction in
with increasing texture depth. However, Figure 7b clearly shows an obviously greater reduction in
friction coefficient for the composite textured bearing than the convex one. Since both the friction
friction coefficient for the composite textured bearing than the convex one. Since both the friction
coefficient trends are monotonous, the lowest values can be obtained at the greatest texture depth of
coefficient trends are monotonous, the lowest values can be obtained at the greatest texture depth of
3 × 10−6−m. A significant reduction in the friction coefficient is achieved by the composite textured
3 × 10 6 m. A significant reduction in the friction coefficient is achieved by the composite textured
bearing from 0.072 (plain bearing) to 0.0684 by 5.91%, which can be regarded as a considerable
bearing from 0.072 (plain bearing) to 0.0684 by 5.91%, which can be regarded as a considerable
beneficial effect in lubrication performance of the journal bearing.
beneficial effect in lubrication performance of the journal bearing.
5.2.
5.2.Effect
EffectofofArea
AreaDensity
Density
With
Withaafixedfixedtexture depth hhpp of
texturedepth of 22 ××1010−m, thethe
load capacity W Wand andthe
thefriction coefficientμµ
coefficient
−6
6 m, load capacity friction
of
ofdifferent
differenttextured
texturedbearings
bearingsare aresimulated
simulatedunder undervarious
variousofofarea densitiesλλ from 0.03 to 0.8.
areadensities 0.8. From
From
Figure 8,
Figure 8, it can be observed that the area density λ of the composite textured not only
be observed that the area density λ of the composite textured not only has a great effect has a great
effect
on theon the capacity
load W, butWalso
load capacity , but also significantly
significantly affects affects the friction
the friction µ of theμbearing.
coefficient
coefficient of the bearing.
Both the
pure the
Both convex
pureand the convex-concave
convex composite composite
and the convex-concave textures aretextures
able to enhance
are ablethe bearing load
to enhance capacity
the bearing
whencapacity
load the texture depth
when the istexture
increased.
depthIn is
addition,
increased.the In
improvements
addition, theofimprovements
both sorts of texture
of both in sorts
the load
of
capacityinare
texture nearly
the load the same. are
capacity For λ = 0.8,the
nearly thesame. For λ =of0.8
load capacity the, the
composite texturedofbearing
load capacity increases
the composite
textured bearing increases by 8.2% from 1085 N (plain bearing) to 1174 N and that of the convex one
increases to 1173 N as well. Compared with the pure texture (convex or concave), the composite
texture has a significant effect on the friction coefficient. As seen in Figure 8b, the friction coefficients
of the bearing with both texture types decrease with increasing area density. It should be noted that
the decrement of the composite textured bearing caused by the increase of area density is much
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 10 of 13

by 8.2% from 1085 N (plain bearing) to 1174 N and that of the convex one increases to 1173 N as well.
Compared with the pure texture (convex or concave), the composite texture has a significant effect on
the friction coefficient. As seen in Figure 8b, the friction coefficients of the bearing with both texture
types decrease with increasing area density. It should be noted that the decrement of the composite
textured bearing caused by the increase of area density is much greater than that of the pure convex
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, x 10 of 13
textured bearing. At λ = 0.8, the maximum reduction in friction coefficient of the composite bearing
is 6.6%, based
decrement of the on convex
the plain bearing.bearing
textured In the same case,
is only the biggest
0.97%, which isdecrement of than
far smaller the convex textured
the composite
bearing is
textured only 0.97%, which is far smaller than the composite textured bearing.
bearing.

(a)

(b)
Figure 8. Effect of texture area density on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.
Figure 8. Effect of texture area density on (a) the load capacity and (b) the friction coefficient.

That is to say, the convex-concave composite texture has considerable potential for improving
That isperformance
lubrication to say, the convex-concave composite
in terms of increasing loadtexture
capacity has
andconsiderable potential
decreasing friction for improving
coefficient.
lubrication performance in terms of increasing load capacity and decreasing friction coefficient.
Based on the above studies, a combination of texture depth and area density is used for both the
convexBased
andon thethecomposite
above studies,
cases,a which
combination
are hpof= texture
3 ×10−6 mdepth
and and
λ =area
0.8 .density
The oilis film
usedpressure
for both
the convex and the composite cases, which are h p = 3 × 10−6 m and λ = 0.8. The oil film pressure
distributions of the plain, the convex and the composite textured bearings are calculated and
distributions of the plain, the convex and the composite textured bearings are calculated and compared
compared in Figure 9. Taking the plain bearing as a reference, the load capacity and the friction
in Figure 9. Taking the plain bearing as a reference, the load capacity and the friction coefficient
coefficient of the convex and the composite textured bearings are calculated with the optimal texture
of the convex and the composite textured bearings are calculated with the optimal texture depth
depth and area density and listed in Table 1. With the optimal texture parameters, both the pure
and area density and listed in Table 1. With the optimal texture parameters, both the pure convex
convex and the composite textures can improve the lubrication performance of bearing. The
and the composite textures can improve the lubrication performance of bearing. The improvements
improvements in load capacity are the same for both texture types. The reductions of the friction
in load capacity are the same for both texture types. The reductions of the friction coefficient are
coefficient are significantly different between the two cases; the composite texture has a much greater
significantly different between the two cases; the composite texture has a much greater reduction than
reduction than the convex texture.
the convex texture.
Figure 9 shows the circumferential oil film pressure distributions of the plain bearing, the convex
Figure 9 shows the circumferential oil film pressure distributions of the plain bearing, the convex
textured bearing and the concave-convex composite textured bearing. The circumferential length
textured bearing and the concave-convex composite textured bearing. The circumferential length with
with oil film of the convex textured bearing is the same as that of the plain bearing. However, the oil
film pressure in the convex texture in the main load region is much higher than that of the plain
bearing. For the composite texture, the oil film is still higher than the plain bearing, but lower than
the convex texture at peak, and higher than the convex texture at other locations. Additionally, the
pressurized area of the composite textured bearing is wider than those of the plain and the convex
textured bearings by 10 degrees. A wider pressurized area indicates a wider load region and a higher
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 11 of 13

oil film of the convex textured bearing is the same as that of the plain bearing. However, the oil film
pressure in the convex texture in the main load region is much higher than that of the plain bearing.
For the composite texture, the oil film is still higher than the plain bearing, but lower than the convex
texture at peak, and higher than the convex texture at other locations. Additionally, the pressurized
area of the composite textured bearing is wider than those of the plain and the convex textured bearings
by 10 degrees. A wider pressurized area indicates a wider load region and a higher oil film pressure
throughout
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8,the
x whole departure half of the contact area. 11 of 13

Figure
Figure9.9.Circumferential
Circumferentialoil
oilfilm
filmpressure
pressuredistribution.
distribution.

Table
Table1.1.Load
Loadcapacity
capacityand
andfriction
frictioncoefficient
coefficientof
ofbearings
bearingswith
withthe
theoptimal
optimalparameters.
parameters.
Texture Types W (KN) ∆W (%) µ ∆µ (%)
Texture Types W (KN)
Plain (baseline) 1.09 ∆W (%) 0 0.073 µ
0 ∆µ (%)
Plain (baseline) Convex 1.09 1.22 0 +11.93 0.073 −1.4
0.072 0
Convex 1.22 +11.93 0.072 −1.4
Concave-convex composite 1.22 +11.93 0.066 −9.59
Concave-convex composite 1.22 +11.93 0.066 −9.59

6. Conclusions
6. Conclusions
The potential use of the spherical texture is studied in terms of the effects of texture type and
The potential
parameters use of the
on the bearing spherical performance.
lubrication texture is studied in terms of
A theoretical the effects
model of texture
of a textured type and
bearing is
developed and validated. A novel convex-concave composite texture is proposed after discussing theis
parameters on the bearing lubrication performance. A theoretical model of a textured bearing
developed
effects and validated.
of texture depth and A novel
area convex-concave
density on the load composite texture
capacity and istheproposed
frictionafter discussing
coefficient the
of the
effects of texture depth and area density on the load capacity and the friction
bearing. The performance of the composite texture is then simulated and compared with the convex coefficient of the bearing.
The performance
texture. of the composite
The main conclusions can betexture
drawnisasthen simulated and compared with the convex texture.
follows:
The main conclusions can be drawn as follows:
(1) The load capacity of the concave spherical textured bearing is lower than that of the plain
(1) bearing,
The loadandcapacity of the concave
the friction spherical
coefficient textured
is hardly bearing
affected byis the
lower than that
concave of the plain
texture. bearing,
The convex
and the friction
spherical texture coefficient
can increase is hardly affected
the bearing loadbycapacity
the concave texture. coefficient
and friction The convexatspherical
the sametexture
time,
can increase the bearing load capacity and friction
but the reduction in friction coefficient is fairly slight. coefficient at the same time, but the reduction
(2) Thein friction coefficientcomposite
concave-convex is fairly slight.
spherical texture can improve the load capacity and the friction
(2) coefficient
The concave-convex composite
of the bearing. spherical
In contrast to thetexture
convex can improve
texture, thethe load capacity
beneficial effect and the friction
introduced by
coefficient of the bearing. In contrast to the convex texture, the beneficial
the composite texture on the friction coefficient is as significant as that on load capacity. effect introduced by the
(3) Incomposite
addition to texture on the
the load friction
capacity andcoefficient
the frictionis as significant
coefficient, theasoilthat onregion
film load capacity.
is expanded in the
(3) composite
In addition to the case,
texture load capacity and the
as well. That is tofriction
say, thecoefficient,
proposedthe oil film regioncomposite
convex-concave is expanded in the
texture
composite
has significanttexture case,for
potential as well. That isimprovement
lubrication to say, the proposed convex-concave composite texture
of the bearing.
has significant potential for lubrication improvement of the bearing.
Acknowledgments: The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the National Key R&D
Program of China (2016YFD0700701).

Author Contributions: Jun Wang developed the bearing models with textures and conducted the analyses;
Junhong Zhang contributed analysis tools; Jiewei Lin wrote and revised the paper; Liang Ma developed the
baseline bearing model.
Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 244 12 of 13

Acknowledgments: The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the National Key R&D Program
of China (2016YFD0700701).
Author Contributions: Jun Wang developed the bearing models with textures and conducted the analyses;
Junhong Zhang contributed analysis tools; Jiewei Lin wrote and revised the paper; Liang Ma developed the
baseline bearing model.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Nomenclature
Parameters and Variables
c radial clearance
e eccentricity
F friction force
h film thickness
h0 film thickness of the untextured bearing
hp texture depth
L width of the journal bearing
m, n number of grid points along X and Z directions
M, N number of meshes along X and Z directions
O1 , O2 centers of the journal bearing and the shaft
p film pressure
R, r radii of the journal bearing and the shaft
rb base radius of the spherical texture
U relative linear sliding velocity of the bearing and the shaft
W total load capacity
WX , WY load capacities along X and Y direction
x, y, z local coordinates of the mesh along X, Y and Z directions
X, Y, Z coordinates of the bearing along circumferential, radial and axial directions
( x0 , z0 ) coordinates of the texture center
∆W ratio of the load capacity between the textured bearing and the smooth bearing
∆µ ratio of the friction coefficient between the textured bearing and the smooth bearing
ε eccentric ratio
η dynamic viscosity of lubricant
µ friction coefficient
τ shear stress of the slip plane between the friction pairs
ψ angle between the load coordinate and the centerline O1 O2
ω angular velocity of the shaft

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