Effect of check valve on the performance of hybrid journal bearing considering starvation and cavitation

Abstract

The paper proposes a new numerical method to analyze the performance of hybrid journal bearing with a check valve, considering starvation and cavitation. The approach ensures the recessed unidirectional flow under the check valve effect and avoids the recessed negative pressure by introducing starvation. The flow conservation in the recess is guaranteed, and the JFO cavitation model is used to calculate the cavitation, which ensures mass conservation on the bearing land. The eccentricity ratio, attitude angle, starved region, and cavitated area of the hybrid journal bearing with a check valve are compared with that without a check valve concerning external load, rotary speed, and supply pressure. Relative pressure distribution, starved features, and cavitated characteristics are represented to explore the difference in the performance between the two bearings. The results indicate that the hybrid journal bearing with a check valve has better properties in load capacity, starvation resistance, and cavitation resistance under the recessed inlet pressure beyond the supply pressure. The reason is attributed to increased recessed pressure and decreased hydrodynamic pressure by the check valve.