THD ANALYSIS OF JOURNAL BEARINGS: A FINITE ELEMENT ALGORITHM FOR GROOVE MIXING CONDITIONS

摘要

A finite element method of solving the mass and energy-conserving lubrication problem, including the energy balance in the feed grooves, is proposed. As mass continuity in the whole film is considered, cavitation is taken into account properly. Both a two-dimensional (2D) and a quasi-three-dimensional (3D) solution of the energy equation in the lubricant film have been adopted. Some results are presented for a two-axial groove journal bearing. The quasi-3D solution method (cross-film conduction included in the model) showed good agreement with experimental results and incurred low computational cost.