Experimental study for performance evaluation of steadily loaded true elliptical and orthogonally displaced non-circular journal bearing profiles
Abstract
Purpose
The non-circular journal bearings may be used over circular journal bearings because of their superior thermal stability. The paper aims at experimental study of thermal performance of two different true elliptical and orthogonally displaced non-circular journal bearing profiles.
Design/methodology/approach
The experiments have been conducted on a specially designed test rig which simultaneously evaluates oil film pressure and temperature along the circumference of non-circular journal bearing. The tests are conducted for the designed true elliptical and orthogonally displaced journal bearing at three different rotational speeds of 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 rpm under the influence of steadily applied load varied from 0.5 to 2.0 kN. The data collected during experimentation have been used to evaluate thermal performance parameters such as maximum pressure, flow rate and effective temperature of the bearings under study.
Findings
It has been observed experimentally that two lobes of pressure and temperature have been obtained for both the elliptical and orthogonally displaced journal bearing. The negative pressure zone (cavitation area) has been observed to be reduced along the circumference for both the journal bearings which results in less thermal degradation of an oil as compared to circular journal bearing. The oil film pressure and temperature increases with the increase in radial load of both the bearings. The maximum temperature rise of oil film is more in case of elliptical bearing as compared to the orthogonally displaced bearing.
Originality/value
The experimental data presented in this paper will help the designers to select such kind of non-circular journal bearing for various applications. The designed bearings have resulted in reduced cavitation zone and two positive pressure lobes have been observed which may result in application of such bearings as an alternate for circular journal bearing.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are very much thankful to the All India Council for Technical Education and Training (AICTE), New Delhi, for funding this research project through RPS grant-in-aid vide their letter No. 20/AICTE/RIFD/RPS(POLICY-II)77/2012-13. They are also thankful to M/s DuCOM Industries, Bangalore, for their support in manufacturing the customized test rig and the bearings.
Citation
Singla, A. and Chauhan, A. (2016), "Experimental study for performance evaluation of steadily loaded true elliptical and orthogonally displaced non-circular journal bearing profiles", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 68 No. 6, pp. 702-711. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-10-2015-0155
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited