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The paper aims to devise an externally adjustable fluid film bearing whereby the hydrodynamic conditions can be changed as required in a controlled manner. Unlike a tilting pad bearing, in this bearing film thickness can be varied by providing radial and tilt adjustments to the pad, irrespective of the operating conditions. This variation in film thickness in‐turn varies the stiffness and damping coefficients.

The stability characteristics of a centrally loaded 120° single pad externally adjustable fluid film bearing is studied theoretically. The bearing has an aspect ratio of one and operates over a wide range of eccentricity ratios and adjustments. The time dependent form of Reynolds equation in two dimensions is solved numerically using the finite difference method. Dynamic performance characteristics of the bearing are in terms of film stiffness and damping coefficients, critical mass of the journal and the whirl frequency ratio. Stability is determined using a first‐order‐linear‐perturbation method.

The paper finds that a study with various adjustments predicts that negative radial and negative tilt adjustment configuration results in superior dynamic characteristics as compared to a conventional fluid film bearing.

It is possible to have a particular set of radial and tilt adjustments that will provide a stable operation of the rotor bearing system. Single pad externally adjustable fluid film bearing will perform as a conventional partial arc bearing when both the adjustments are set to zero.

This study aims to investigate the performance characteristics of an externally adjustable bearing with multiple pads in steady state conditions. The proposed adjustable bearing geometry can effectively control the hydrodynamic operation in bearing clearances by adjusting the pads in radial and tilt directions. These pad adjustments have a significant role in improving the bearing characteristics such as load capacity, attitude angle, side leakage, friction variable and Sommerfeld number, which will be analysed in this paper.

The adjustable bearing is designed with circumferentially spaced four bearing pads subjected to similar radial and tilt adjustments. Tilt angles are applied along the leading edges of bearing pads. A modified film thickness equation is used to incorporate the pad adjustments and accurately predict the variation in film profile. Finite difference approximation is adopted to solve the Reynolds equation and discretize the fluid film domain.

For negative radial and tilt adjustments, higher hydrodynamic pressures are generated in bearing clearances, which increases the bearing load capacity at different eccentricity ratios. From comparative analysis for different pad adjustments, superior bearing performance is observed for bearing pads under negative radial and negative tilt adjustments.

This research presents a detailed theoretical approach to analyse the performance capability of a four pad adjustable bearing geometry, which is not available in literatures. Improved bearing performances with negative pad adjustments can attract bearing designers to implement the proposed adjustability-bearing concept in rotating machineries.

This study aims to investigate mixed lubrication performances of stern bearing in a misaligned state considering turbulence and bearing deformation impacts.

A mixed lubrication model of stern bearing is established. The generalized average Reynolds equation governing the turbulent flow of lubricant is analyzed by considering the interaction of bearing elastic deformation, asperity contact pressure and film pressure. The bearing behaviors including minimum film thickness, hydrodynamic pressure, asperity friction force and frictional coefficient are studied under different models. The correctness of this model is verified by comparing it with that of the published data.

Numerical results indicate that elastic deformation noticeably decreases the maximum film pressure, the asperity contact force and the friction coefficient in the mixed lubrication stage. The effect of elastic deformation and turbulence reduces the transition speed from mixed to liquid lubrication.

This model includes both turbulence and bearing deformation impacts on journal bearing performances. It is expected that the numerical results can provide useful information to establish a stern bearing exposed to mixed lubrication conditions.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2022-0352/

The purpose of this paper is to theoretically analyze an innovative form of variable bearing configuration having four pads with unique adjustability principle operated under journal misaligned conditions. The parameters such as load positions, degrees of misalignment (DM) and pad adjustment configurations influencing the steady-state performance of the four-pad adjustable bearing are detailed in this paper.

The proposed adjustable pad geometry possesses the ability to undergo radial and tilt motions in both inward and outward directions. Analysis is carried out by considering journal misalignment in vertical and horizontal planes with bearing modelled for load-on-pad and load-between-pad configurations. The film thickness equation derived to incorporate the radial and tilt adjustment parameters is further modified to accommodate the different load orientations and misaligned journal conditions. The pressure field equation is solved by applying finite-difference technique combined with Gauss Siedel iterative method.

At higher DM, peak pressures generated in the minimum film thickness region near the pad ends highly influences the bearing load carrying capacity. Results indicated that the adjustable four-pad bearing geometry is highly efficient in withstanding the journal misalignment by radially displacing and tilting the four pads in negative directions.

For bearing designers, this research highlights the importance of considering the misalignment factor during the design stages of an adjustable journal bearing. The proposed adjustability concept is proven to be effective enough to improve the bearing performance and, in turn, withstand the journal misalignment.

The purpose of this paper is to study theoretically the combined influence of journal misalignment and wear on the performance of a hole‐entry hybrid journal bearing system. The bearing is assumed to be operating in a turbulent regime.

The modified Reynolds equation based on Constantinescu lubrication theory has been solved by using finite element method together with orifice and capillary restrictors flow equations as a constrain together with appropriate boundary conditions.

It has been observed that for a symmetric hole‐entry journal bearing configuration the value of h¯_min is more for the bearing compensated by orifice restrictor as compared to capillary restrictor when bearing operates in turbulent regime under worn/unworn conditions. From the point of view of stability threshold speed ω¯_th, the reduction in the value of ω¯_th for capillary compensated bearing is around −3.89 percent whereas for orifice compensated bearing it is −7.85 percent when misaligned worn bearing is operating in turbulent regime.

The present work is original of its kind, in case of misaligned hole‐entry worn journal bearing. The results are quite useful for the bearing designer.

The present work aimed to study analytically the influence of wear on the performance of a capillary-compensated hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing system operating in a turbulent regime. The numerically simulated results are presented for the chosen values of restrictor design parameter, Reynolds numbers, wear depth and misalignment parameters.

The wear caused on the bearing surface due to start/stop operations is modeled using the Dufrane’s abrasive wear model. The modified Reynolds equation based on Constantinescu’s lubrication theory is solved using finite element method together with capillary restrictor flow equation.

It is found that the value of minimum fluid-film thickness increases significantly for a constant value of restrictor design parameter when unworn aligned bearing operates in turbulent regime vis-à-vis laminar regime. Further, it has also been observed that when a worn bearing operates in laminar/turbulent regimes, the reduction in the value of minimum fluid-film thickness is more due to journal misalignment as compared to the aligned bearing operates in laminar regime.

The present work is original concerning the performance of worn hole-entry hybrid misaligned journal bearing system operating in turbulent regime. The results are expected to be quite useful for the bearing designer.

ON Friday, March 24, 1961, the Minister of Aviation, Mr Peter Thorneyeroft, officially opened a new high supersonic speed wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford. This tunnel provides the final stage in the present plans for expansion of the wind tunnel facilities at Bedford, being capable of providing speeds from Mach 2.5 up to Mach 5 in a working section measuring 4x3 ft. Three other tunnels arc already in operation at Bedford—these being the 13x9 ft. working section low‐speed tunnel, the 3x3 ft. tunnel, which is transonic and supersonic to Mach 2, and the 8x8 ft. tunnel, which is subsonic and supersonic to Mach 2.8.

DOWTY Equipment Limited began the study of fuel systems for gas turbines in 1944, following the adoption by the de Havilland Engine Company of the Dowty Live Line Pump as the most promising type for conversion to a fuel pump. The resulting co‐operation hd to a widening interest and in 1945 the first design schemes for a complete fuel system were initiated.

LUBRICATION, as a natural phenomenon is as ageless as time, its contribution, in early beginnings, to the formation of the terrain on which we live cannot be questioned; it was invaluable, in later times, following the glacial eras, indeed there is still no demonstration of the defeat of friction between two surfaces in close contact to surpass that of wet ice sliding over wet ice.

Most chemical pumps on the market today were designed 20 to 30 years ago, in the days of shaft sealing by gland packing. Their characteristics include small diameter shafts, with the packing acting as a third bearing to support the overhang; high pressure in the seal chamber; and excessive shaft end‐play.