D E N N I S C.

KUZiVIA Tie Magnetohydrodynamic Journal Bearing

Senior Research Engineer, Research
Laboratories, General Motors A11 analysis of an infinite journal bearing is presented for the case of ail electrically
Corporation, Warren, Mich.
Assoc. Mem. ASME conducting fluid in the presence of a magnetic field. The magnetohydrodynamic form
of Reynolds' bearing equation is derived and solved for the pressure distribution. The
load carrying capacity is determined from the pressure distribution. Numerical data are
presented for nonconducting bearing surfaces. These data are compared with the data
from the ordinary journal bearing. It is shown that the load carrying capacity is in-
creased by the application of a magnetic field.

Introduction
WHEN a conducting fluid flows across a magnetic field
in a channel, the electromagnetic pressure gradient m a y be m u c h
greater than the h y d r o d y n a m i c pressure gradient at the same flow
rate. This effect m a y be used to i m p r o v e the lubrication charac-
teristics of liquid metal lubricants b} r increasing the pressure level
in the lubricant film and thereby increasing the load carrying
capacity of the bearing. A n investigation of the m a g n e t o h y d r o -
d y n a m i c slider bearing [ l ] 1 has shown a large increase in load
carrying capacity.
In the present analysis, an infinite journal bearing is considered
with an electrically conducting fluid as the lubricant. A radial
magnetic field, Br = —B0R/r, is applied to the journal bearing.
T h e m a g n e t o h y d r o d y n a m i c f o r m of R e y n o l d s ' bearing equation Fig. 1 Magnetohydrodynamic journal bearing configuration
is obtained b y including the electromagnetic terms in the deriva-
tion in reference [2]. F r o m this equation, an analytical expression treated in reference [2] and the electromagnetic assumptions
is then obtained for the pressure gradient. This pressure gradient are treated in references [3 and 4]. These assumptions are ( 1 ) the
is integrated numerically at low Hartmann numbers and is inte- lubricant is Newtonian, ( 2 ) the fluid motion is laminar, ( 3 ) fluid
grated analytically at high Hartmann numbers. T h e load on the inertia terms are negligible, ( 4 ) no slip occurs between fluid and
bearing is then determined f r o m the pressure distribution. bearing surfaces, ( 5 ) the Lorentz force is the only b o d y force acting
on the fluid, ( 6 ) the fluid is incompressible, ( 7 ) the fluid film is so
thin that the pressure and applied magnetic field are constant
Bearing Configuration across the film, ( 8 ) curvature of the film m a y be ignored, ( 9 ) the
T h e bearing configuration is shown in Fig. 1. T h e journal has permeability and c o n d u c t i v i t y are constant scalar quantities, and
inner radius a, outer radius R — c, and c o n d u c t i v i t y o-,-, while the ( 1 0 ) the induced magnetic field is small compared with the ap-
bearing has inner radius R, outer radius b, and c o n d u c t i v i t y ab. plied magnetic field.
T h e journal has eccentricity e, and the applied magnetic field is
Br =' -B0R/r
Classical Solution
Assumptions T h e classical solution for the full journal bearing is discussed in
almost any b o o k on lubrication theory, such as reference [2],
T h e assumptions which will be used are the ordinary h y d r o d y - T h e pressure distribution is given b j '
namic assumptions plus some assumptions a b o u t the electric and
magnetic fields. T h e ordinary h y d r o d y n a m i c assumptions are 6/ji? 2 co ?i(2 + n cos d) sin 0
V - Po (1)
.(2 + rc2)(l + n cos 6)\
1Numbers in brackets designate References at end of paper.
Contributed bj' the Lubrication Division of THE AMERICAN and the load is given b y
SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEEBS a n d p r e s e n t e d a t t h e A S M E -
A S L E Lubrication Conference, Pittsburgh, Pa., October 16-18, 1962.
Manuscript received at A S M E Headquarters, July 31, 1902. Paper IF = nRwL(R/c)2 (2)
No. 62—Lub-IG. .(2 + ?i 2 )(l - »»)'/>J

•Nomenclature-
inner radius of journal M = Hartmann number 6 eccentricity
outer radius of bearing n = eccentricity ratio f dimensionless normal coordinate
magnetic flux density P = pressure V permeability
clearance between journal and P = dimensionless pressure e angular coordinate
bearing R = inner radius of bearing M viscosity
E electric field kinematic viscosity
R,„ = magnetic R e y n o l d s number V

dimensionless tangential coordi-

e dimensionless electric field radial coordinate
f nate
defined bj r equation (31) U = dimensionless v e l o c i t y
p density
H magnetic field u = x - c o m p o n e n t of v e l o c i t y
c o n d u c t i v i t y of fluid
H defined b y equation ( 2 3 ) V = velocity a c o n d u c t i v i t y of bearing
h thickness of fluid film W = load c o n d u c t i v i t y of journal
J current density x = tangential coordinate Oi defined b y equation ( 2 1 )
L bearing length normal coordinate defined b y equation ( 2 2 )
y =

424 / september 1963 Transactions of the A S M E

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 M H D Equations
If the fluid film is unwrapped and the curvature ignored, the
bearing configuration becomes that in Fig. 2.
Electromagnetic Boundary Conditions
T h e parameter e involves the 2 - c o m p o n e n t of the induced elec-
tric field. It is assumed that e is of such magnitude that n o net
current flows in the 2-direction. T h e b o u n d a r y conditions for the
magnetic field are discussed in reference [1] for the plane case
and are derived in the A p p e n d i x of this paper for the cylindrical
case. T h e b o u n d a r y conditions f o r the magnetic field are

dH
- 4>,H = 0 at f = 0 (19)

dH
f faH = 0 at f = h/c (20)
dt
Fig, 2 Section of fluid film
where

o- 2 Rc
W i t h the previous assumptions, the summation of forces in the (21)
s-direction becomes o-j b2 - R2

dv b2u <j 2 Rc
(3) 02 = (22)
ct, R2 - a2

F r o m O h m ' s law VH,

H (23)
Bo
J = o-E + crV X B (4)

F r o m the steady-state f o r m of Maxwell's equations Combining equations ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) gives

V X H = J (5) V X H = JE + trV X B (24)

V X E = 0 (6) T h e dimensionless f o r m of the 2 - c o m p o n e n t of equation ( 2 4 ) is

where
D I L _ T) JJ
(25)
B = i?H (7)

A combination of equation ( 3 ) and the z - c o m p o n e n t of equation where

( 4 ) gives
R,„ = ariRuc (26)
dhi _ oBo2 ; _ o•E.Bp 1 dp
(8) Evaluating equation ( 2 5 ) at f = 0 and f = h/c and combining
by2 fj. fx /x dx
with equations ( 1 9 ) and (20), respectively, gives

E q u a t i o n ( 8 ) m a y be written in dimensionless f o r m b y intro-

ducing these dimensionless quantities,
™ -^ (f (27)

U = — (9)
Rco (28)
H W c ) = i v f + R '
£ = x/c (10)
Integrating equation ( 2 5 ) and combining with equations (27)
f = y/c (11) and (28) gives

e = (<r/n)'/'cEJRo.> (12) (•h'c

(h/c + + 1 /<h)e/M + 1/02 + J Q Udt = 0 (29)

(13) Integrating equation ( 1 8 ) and combining with equation (29)

Rwp
gives
M = B0c(a/ix)1'- (14)
1 dP r , , 2/(/i/c)i 1 , f(h/c)
Equation ( 8 ) then becomes M2 da l h / c M 0! 1 M
(30)
l/0i + 1/02 + 2f(h/c)/M
dP
M2U = Me (15)
H 2 da where

T h e b o u n d a r y conditions on U are cosh Mh/c — 1

f(h/c) = (31)
sinh Mh/c
(7(0) = 0 (16)

V{h/c) = 1 (17) MUD Reynolds' Equation

If e is assumed constant across the film, the solution of (15) is F r o m continuity

sinh mt 1 ( dP d rh/c
U = ;—tttt + 7 7 „ h r + Me Udt = 0 (32)
sinh Mh/c M"- \ d£ d^

^ ( , cosh Mh/c — .1 . , , , , , , , Differentiating equation (29) and combining with equations (30)
X cosh M { - 1 . ' — sinh M t (18
\ sinh Mh/c and ( 3 2 ) gives

Journal of Basic Engineering september 19 63 / 4 2 5

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 1 1 1 T" —r~
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 45

Fig. 3 Pressure distribution for various Hartmann numbers with non- Ha rim an n number M
conducting journal and bearing for n = 0.8
Fig. 4 Load ratio as a function of Hartmann number for n = 0.8

d_ j h/c + 1 / 0 ! + 1/00 ' 1 c dP

(W ( 2 / / A / + 1 / 0 , + 1/02 M*~R le {h,c ~ 2 f / M )
T h e constant k is evaluated b y requiring P to have period 27T.
Thus
- 1/02 — f/M = 0 (33)

•where

6 = c£/R (34) If it is assumed that the pressure is positive at all points in the
fluid film the load becomes
This is the m a g n e t o h y d r o d y n a m i c f o r m of R e y n o l d s ' bearing
equation and becomes R e y n o l d s ' equation as M —*• 0.
W = ixRo>L(R/cY 1 ( ) (P - Po) sin Odd (45)
,. ,. 2(cosh Mh/c - 1) f
Inn 2\f/M = lim — — = h/c (35) Jo
M-*-0 M smii M h / c
Since P — P0 is an o d d function of 6} the load is perpendicular
to the line joining the centers of the journal and bearing.
lim ~ ( h / c - 2f/M) = ~ (h/c)3
M—*o M 2 12 (36)

In the limit, equation (33) becomes Solution for Insulated Journal and Bearing at Large M

" - IJ
F o r a nonconducting journal and bearing
d_
L [ A V /l = 0
dd 12V c / R dd (37) 1/01 = 1 / 0 2 = 0 (46)
2c
A t large M,

1
B )
dh
dd = Ye f(A/c) = cosh M h / C ~ 1 „ l (47)
(33) sinh Mh/c

Solution Equation (39) becomes

Integrating equation ( 3 3 ) and rearranging gives

c dP M

c_ dP_ = (1/02 + f/M)M2 R dd 1 - 2/M + n cos i

R d6 h/c - 2f/M 2kM

(48)
(1/0, + 1/02 + 2f/M)M2k (1 + n cos 0)(1 - 2/M + n cos 6)
(39)
(1/0, + 1 / 0 2 + h/c)(h/c - 2f/M)
Integrating equation (48) gives
where k is a constant of integration.
T h e value for h/c m a y be substituted into equation ( 3 9 ) and c /p M l ' (1 — n ) tan 9/2
then the integration m a y be done numerically. -R ^ " = ( T ^ A arCta " (1 - »»)"•

h/c = 1 + 7 1 cos 6 (40)

+ (M - kM2)
M - 2V
(.P - Po) = S(6) - k'l\6) (41) M
R
(M - 2 \
where n ) tan 6/2
1/02 + f/M arctan (49)

-7-T
(42) M
M
(1/0, + 1/02 + 2f/M)d6
T(6) = Af'Jo — + 1/</)2 + h / c ) U l / c _ 2f/ M ) (43) T h e constant k is determined bj' requiring P to have period 2-7T.
Equation (49) then becomes

426 / september 1963 Transactions of the A S M E

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 2M
~ (P - Po) elH. "
1 --
- - ] =- - - eb-)]
1 -1 el(I"H (58)
R u ely u-o Ub l' dr ._R

Combining equations ( 57) and (58) gives

(l - ,,) ta ll 8/ 2
nrc ta n )'1 (50)
(1 - n2 !
[
In the joul'Il nl, equat,io n (53) becomes

(7 - ,,) 812] ta n .!':.- [ ~ d('H,)] d

[ (Ml1~ 2)' - "'JI'

(50)
u- (-wBo R ) - 0 ( 60 )
ell" r ell" dr
- arc ta n
Since 11 8«(1) o un d H o,(R - c) = H ei(R - c) equat.ion (60)
y ields
The load is thon fou nd from equation ( 45)

27rM H o·
}
= (R - C)I1')_ R-,
(R-C)1-Cj2
(r'- -- -D')
I"
( 61)
lJ7 - ~ RwL(Rlc )' -
{ " T he co nti nui ty of E'. between t he journ al und flui d gives

n' r} (51)

Co mbin ing equa t.ion (6 1) nlld (62) gives

(62 )

Results dHz;
-ely +
u 2(11 - c)
fl, - 0 at y - h (63)
N umeri cal resul ts firc shown fO I' the cnse where t he journal q j (R - C )2 - a2
a nd bea ]'i n~ a re insu lators. The pressme distribution is shown in
But
Fig. 3 for variolls va lues of the H artmanu Hu mber fOI' nn ec-
centricity mtio of 0.8. T he ratio of the mngnct ohyci rody nnmic (6·1)
load to t he ord ina ry hyd rody nami c lond is s hown in F ig. 4 as a
fu nction of t he H artman n Dumber for an eccen t ricity rat io of 0.8. Eq uation (G3) then becomes

d Hz;
(65)
AP PENDIX ely
Electromagnetic Boundary Conditions
T he electromagnet ic bound a ry condi t ions are disclIssed in any References
st andard work on electromagnetic t heo ry, slich as reference [31. \V. T . Snyd er, "The 1\ IngnetohydrodYllnmie Slider B eH ring,"
ASl\IB , Scries D, vol. S'l,
J OUilN'AJ, OJ' BASIC E;-W I N' E ER I NO, T RANS.
The ta ngential components of E and H a nd t he normn l component
19G2, PI>. 197- 2-04.
of B must be continuous fica·OSS t he interface. 2 1\1. C. Shaw and E. F. Macks, "Analysis and Lubr ication of
Eli minating J from equat.ions ( 4) and (5) yields Bea ri ngs," i\fcGruw-H iH Book Company, Inc., New Yor k, N . Y.,
1049.
\7 X H - uE + uV X B (52) 3 '1'. G. Cowling, "Magnctohydrodynnmics," I ntersciencc
Publ ishe rs, Inc. , New York, N. Y., 1957.
Ta ki ng t he cu d of both sides of equation (52) and making use of 4 J. A. St.rntLon, "Elect.romagnetie Theory," lHcGraw-HiJl Boo k
equn tio n (6) y ields Compnny, Inc., New Yor k, N. Y ., 1941.

\7 X ( \7 X H ) - u\7 X (V X B) (53)

I n the bea ri ng, eq uation (53) becomes

\7 X ( \7 X il ) - 0 (5)])

B.R
Assuming II. = 0, }[ =r - - , a nd H f) = H o(r), equu t ion (54)
'I'
gives

~ [~ d(tfl,) ] o (55)
ell" r dl"
or

fl o = erl" + cz/t (56)

T he constants n rc eva luati ng by notin g t ha t He(b) 0 ano

th at H o,(R) = H o&(R) wberef designa tes t he vnl ue in t he fl uid and
b denotes the va lue in the beari ng. E qll at,ion (56 ) t hen becomes

(57)

The z-componell t of equllt.ion (52) nlld t bc con tinuity of E'~ be-

tween the fl uid a nd bea ring yields

Journal of Basic Engineering S E P TEMBE R 1 963 1 427

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