STATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF 3-LOBE JOURNAL BEARINGSWITH DIFFERENT LOBES OF GEOMETRY

Abstract

The 3-lobe journal bearings have found application in high-speed bearing systems. The bearing design andthe number of lobes and oil grooves ensure good cooling conditions for the bearings. These bearings can bemanufactured as bearings with cylindrical, non-continuous operating surfaces separated by six lubricatinggrooves, bearings with a pericycloid shape of bearing bore and Offset ones.This paper presents the results of the computation of static characteristics of the 3-lobe journal bearing withthe lobes of different geometry. The conditions of an aligned axis of the journal and sleeve and the staticequilibrium position of the journal were assumed. Different bearing length-to-diameter ratio values andrelative and lobe relative clearance were considered. Reynolds' energy and viscosity equations were solvedby means of an iterative procedure. Adiabatic oil film and laminar flow in the bearing gap were considered. Itwas stated that different lobe geometries generate changes in the characteristics of bearings.