Static characteristics of tri-taper journal bearing

Abstract

The static characteristics of a tri-taper journal
bearing are studied. The geometry is similar to
that for a tri-lobe journal bearing and is akin to
three-tapered land composite thrust bearings
arranged around a bearing circle. There are three
lubricant supply grooves equally spaced around
the bearing periphery. Each of the three sections
consists of equal lengths of the bearing base circle
and a section offset from the base circle such that
it merges smoothly with the base circle and
provides a predetermined depth at or near to the
lubricant supply groove.
Performance characteristics such as load carrying
capacity, power loss and lubricant flow rate of the
tri-taper journal bearing are obtained by the
solution of the Reynolds equation using a finite
difference method and accommodating
Jacobsons -Floberg-Olsson boundary conditions
for iso-viscous and laminar flow.
The lubricant film profile is determined by
superimposing the effect of the ramp on the
conventional expression for the film thickness in a
journal bearing. Typical characteristics obtained
are presented which will be useful to the designer.