2010 International Conference on Measuring Technology and Mechatronics Automation

The analysis of the characteristics of infinitely short journal bearings modified by

equivalent viscosity

Qu Qingwen, Zhang Haoqian,Zhou Lan,Wang Chengjun

Department of Mechanical Engineering,Shandong University of Technology,ZiBo,ShanDong,255049,China
quqingwen@sdut.edu.cn

Abstract: The characteristics of unlimited short journal molecular-level thin film has just begun, there have been
bearing has been analyzed by using the equivalent viscosity different models, using different models to calculated radial
correction model under thin film lubrication conditions.The bearing. The viscosity modify model should have universal
interaction between the lubricant and the surface within a significance, it is natural that also applies to the radial
very small gap has been seriouly considered. The changes of bearing [2].
regular pattern of lubricant properties are comprehensive Any calculation want to have a precise theory express,
analyzed and researched. Unlimited short journal bearing is the unlimited short bearing theory for small eccentricity and
regarded as the research object.After researching,the varying the narrow width small bearings, it has got a fairly good
regularity of its characteristics has been received.At the same approximation. Moreover, since the mathematical treatment
time, the relationship between parameters and bearing is quite simple, it has also become a useful tool to analysis of
performance has been established. The basis are provided for lubrication problems [3-4].
theoretical research and practical engineering calculations. 1 THE REYNOLDS EQUATION OF OIL FILM IN AN
Keywords: thin film lubrication; infinitely short journal INFINITELY SHORT JOURNAL BEARING
bearings; the viscosity model In the steady-state conditions, according to literature [3],
the Reynolds equation in unlimited short-bearing
INTRODUCTION
conventional pure viscous generalized Newtonian fluid ,is
In the hydrodynamic lubrication of mechanical parts, the written as:
most common parts are radial bearings, in the practice of the
∂ h3 dp dh
work it is very complicated, and because of the impact of ( ) = 6U (1)
many factors and mathematical difficulties, the current ∂y η dy dx
lubrication theory had been subjected to varying degrees of Among them, U for the bearing circumferential speed,
simplification. With the development of industrial and U=Rw,h for the lubricant viscosity,h for the lubricant
technology, processing is improved continuously, film thickness, the x direction along the bearing
super-finishing will be increasingly common, the original circumference.
judging condition is no longer perfect, the calculation is no For the radial sliding bearing its structural parameters
longer fully adapted to existing conditions, that despite the are shown in Fig.1, the parameters in the equation (1) are
small thickness does not produce wear and tear, there has translated into polar coordinates: x=Rϕ,h=c(1+εcosϕ), gap
[1]
been molecular lubricating film . The development of thin c=R-r, eccentricity ε=e/c, e is the eccentric distance.
film lubrication have provided a theoretical basis to reveal Consider the influence of the adsorbed layer thickness
the practical engineering, the film is developed on the basis in the thin film lubrication to the lubricant viscosity, and
of the study in a micro-state. At present, the calculation of assuming that two surface have the same adsorption

978-0-7695-3962-1/10 $26.00 © 2010 IEEE 754

DOI 10.1109/ICMTMA.2010.357
characteristics, the introduction of the equivalent 6 dh* y*2
viscosity correction model [6]:
p* = λ 2 + C1 y* + C2 (6)
h*2 (h* − 2δ * ) dϕ 2
γ The use of boundary conditions,at the y=±L/2, p=0 , that
y = ±1 , p * = 0 :
*

x ε sin ϕ
W p* = 3λ 2 (1 − y*2 )
(1 + ε cosϕ ) (1 + ε cosϕ − 2δ )
2 *

ω ϕ (7)
R
e Equation (7) have given the relationship of the
o h
dimensionless pressure p,the non-dimensional adsorbed
o1 δ1
layer thickness 2δ*, eccentricity ε and the non-dimensional
r δ2
axial coordinate y, as shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 5. In Fig.2 and
y 3 in the eccentricity ε = 0.1, and ε = 0.8, under different
adsorbed layer thickness are respectively shown, the curve
of the dimensionless pressure p in the cross section (y = 0),
Fig.1 The bearing geometric parameters[2]
its shown that , the dimensionless pressure p increasing with
h
η = η0 (2) the adsorbed layer thickness 2δ* increasing , In the 2δ* =
h − 2δ
0.8,and 2δ* = 0.1, under different eccentricity the
In the calculation to take η0 as conventional
dimensionless pressure p curve in the cross section (y = 0)
measurement of viscosity.
are respectively shown in Fig. 4 and 5. As can be seen from
Taking equation (2) into equation (1) have gained
the figure, the dimensionless pressure p along with the
infinitely short journal bearing viscosity of modified
increasing of ε, while the location of the maximum pressure
generalized Reynolds equation:
gradually close to the point of the film export, and a sharp

∂ 2 ∂p 6Uη0 dh increase; Eccentricity ε smaller pressure change more

(h (h − 2δ ) ) = (3) unclear which coincide with the actual situation, when the
∂y ∂y R dϕ
eccentricity is 0, lubrication conditions would be lost. In the
cross-section of the infinitely short bearing (y = 0), the
2 THE DIMENSIONLESS OF REYNOLDS
pressure distribution is the same as infinite length bearings
EQUATION AND PRESSURE SOLUTION
distribution [4].
By equation (3), the introduction of dimensionless
parameters: 0.08

L * 6η RU 0.07 2 *=0.00
y= y 、 h = ch* 、 p = 0 2 p* 、 δ = cδ * 、 0.06
2 *=0.05
2 C 2 *=0.20
2 *=0.40
2R 0.05
λ= (4)
2 *=0.60

L 0.04 2 *=0.80 =0.10

p*

0.03
the equation (4) into dimensionless:
0.02
*
∂ *2 * * ∂p dh*
λ 2
(h (h − 2δ ) * ) = 6 (5) 0.01
(5)
∂y* ∂y dϕ 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
The equation (5) will be inteqraled to:

Figure.2 at ε = 0.1，the variation of p*

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 10 the characteristics of lubricants. The pressure axial
2 *=0.00 distribution is parabola-shaped and the central symmetry the
8 2 *=0.05
2 *=0.08 bearings in the cross-section (y = 0) of axial.
6 2 *=0.11
2 *=0.14
100 ε =0.9 2δ * =0.1
p*

2 *=0.17 =0.80
4
80 ε =0.8 2δ * =0.2
*
ε =0.7 2δ * =0.3
2 p 60 ε =0.6 2δ * =0.4
0 ε =0.5 2δ * =0.5
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 40

20
Figure.3 at ε =0.8，the variation of p*
ϕ 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
0.4

0.35 e=0.01
e=0.04
0.3
e=0.08
0.25 e=0.12
p* 0.2 e=0.16
*
e=0.18 2d*=0.80
6 p
0.15 4 3
0.1 2
0 2
0.05 -1
0
-0.5 1 ϕ
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
*
0
f y 0.5
Figure.4 at 2δ =0.，the variation of p
* * 10
Figure. 6 at 2δ +ε ≈ 1，the variation of p
* *
4

=0.01 2 LOAD CAPACITY AND FRICTION

3 =0.05 CHARACTERISTICS
=0.20
=0.40 In the equation (7) ,the pressure distribution in the y is
2
p*

=0.60
=0.80 2 *=0.10
the shape of a parabola, and the centro-symmetric at the
ϕ =π and p = 0, that negative pressure zone and pressure
1
zone is the same, with half-Sommerfeld boundary
conditions, only seek oil-film force for the pressure range 0
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
≤ ϕ ≤ π, the unit width of the non-dimensional load as
follows:
Figure.5 at 2δ* =0.1，the variation of p* 1 π π ε sin ϕ
Wp * = ∫ ∫ p* cos ϕ dϕ dy* = 4λ 2 ∫ cos ϕ dϕ
In Fig. 6, the variation of pressure when 2δ*+ε close 1. −1 0 0 (1 + ε cos ϕ ) 2 (1 + ε cos ϕ − 2δ * )
In the calculation, it must be ensured that ε+2δ*<1 ,in other (8)
words there has to be the flow of liquid film exists, Similarly:
lubrication at the molecular level, when the dimensionless
1 π π ε sin 2 ϕ
Wv* = ∫ ∫ p* sin ϕ dϕ dy* = 4λ 2 ∫ dϕ
−1 0 0 (1 + ε cos ϕ ) 2 (1 + ε cos ϕ − 2δ * )
film thickness near 1, the lubricant will have a phase
(9)
transitionto form the liquid crystal structure, thus changing

756
 W * = Wp*2 + Wv*2 (10) In Fig. 8, when 2δ*+ε near 1, the frictional resistance
increased sharply, indicating near the phase transition point
Where: W*F、W*V is the parallel component and vertical ,the molecules forces has a sharp increase, reflecting the
component for the non-dimensional load W* along the strong role of the wall.
direction of heart-line, from (8 ~ 10) equation to calculate
the relationship of W*, a dimensionless film thickness with
2δ* and eccentricity ε, as in Fig. 7 shown. From the figure
we can see, when 2δ*+ε near 1, the carrying capacity tends
to infinity, that is to reached a phase transition point. In
small ε and the lower 2δ*, equivalent to little effect on 40 Ft * 1
* 20
surface adsorption, therefore, W has a little change. 0.75
0
0 0.5
0.25 2δ *
ε 0.5 0.25
0.75
8 10
8
6 Fig.8 the variation of the dimensionless frictional
6
4
F* ＊
4 resistance Ft
2
2 0.4
0.4
0
0
0
0 3 CONCLUSION
0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 The equivalent viscosity model is applied to an infinite
2δ *
ε 0.4
0.4 short radial bearings would be analytical solution.Due to the
0.6
0.6 0
0 performance of lubricant change with the film thickness, and
＊
Fig. 7 the variation of dimensionless load capacity F as the film thickness decreases, the lubricant viscosity
By the hydrodynamic lubrication theory, friction can be
increases, meanwhile increase the carrying capacity , its
calculated by:
thickness would slowly reduce with the load increasing.
L /2 2π η0URL 2π dϕ η URL * When 2δ*+ε near 1, the location of the maximum pressure
Ft = ∫ ∫ τ Rdϕdy = ∫ = 0 Ft
−L /2 0 C 0 1+ε cosϕ − 2δ *
C gradually close to the point of the film export, the flowing of
(11) liquid film lubricant will have a phase transition, the formula
would be invalid.
The use of Sommerfeld transformation, the
dimensionless equation is: References:

[1] Hirani H，Athre K，Biswas S﹒ Lubricant shear thinning analysis of

2π dϕ 2π engine journal bearings﹒ Tribology Transactions，2001，44(1)：
Ft* = ∫ 0 1 + ε co s ϕ − 2δ *
=
ε 1
125~131.
(1 − 2 δ * ) (1 − ( )2 ) 2
1 − 2δ *
[2] Qu Qingwen, Thin film lubrication theory, Beijin Science
Press,2006.
(12) [3] Dong Xun, Lubrication theory, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Press,1984.
According to infinitely short bearing theory, to calculate [4] Wen Shizhu, Progress of Research on Nanotribology, Journal of
the friction coefficient Mechanical Engineering,2007，43(10)：1~8.
μ=Ft/Fx (13) [5] Qu Qingwen, Chan Shan, Yao Fusheng,Characteristic Analysis for
Journal Bearing Under Thin Film Lubrication, Engineering Science,
The lubricant flux flowed the end bearing as follows: 2003，5(6)：44~48,83,
π h3 ∂p [6] Qu Qingwen, The Model of Equivalent Viscosity and Test in Thin
Qy = 2 ∫ − ｜ L Rdϕ = ε CLU (14) Film Lubrication, MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND
0 12η ∂y y = 2 TECHNOLOGY, 2000,19(3):454~455

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