The surface roughness effects of transverse patterns on the Hopf bifurcation behaviors of short journal bearings

Abstract

Purpose

On the ground of the Hopf bifurcation theory derived by Hassard et al., the purpose of this paper is to investigate the weakly nonlinear dynamics of transverse rough‐surface short journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

By application of the stochastic model of rough surfaces, developed by Christensen and Tonder, the roughness effects of transverse surface patterns on the bifurcation behaviors close to the Hopf bifurcation point are investigated.

Findings

It is found that the dynamic behavior of transverse rough‐surface short journal bearings can display Hopf bifurcation phenomena. Comparing with the case of isotropic rough‐surface bearing by Lin, under the same parameters, the effects of transverse surface roughness provide a reduced sub‐critical Hopf bifurcation region as well as an increased super‐critical Hopf bifurcation region. In addition, the effects of transverse surface roughness result in a lower stability‐threshold critical speed for both the sub‐critical bifurcation profile and the super‐critical bifurcation profile.

Originality/value

The present study, associated with the results of Hopf bifurcation regions and periodic orbits, can provide useful information for engineers when the transverse surface roughness effects and the bifurcation behavior are considered in a journal bearing system.

Citation

Lin, J. (2012), "The surface roughness effects of transverse patterns on the Hopf bifurcation behaviors of short journal bearings", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 64 No. 5, pp. 265-270. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791211249656