Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6919
Title: Three dimensional flow structures in journal bearings
Authors: Stucke, P
Nobis, M
Schmidt, M
2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009)
Keywords: Micro flow;Journal bearing
Issue Date: 2009
Publisher: Brunel University
Citation: 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference, Brunel University, West London, UK, 01-02 September 2009
Abstract: In general, the fluid flow in journal bearings can be described by the Navier-Stokes Equations and the conservation of mass. The application of the small gap criterion allows a simplification of these equations yielding the Reynolds Equation, which links the local gap size with the pressure gradient resulting in a powerful tool for the designing process of journal bearings. Typically, the Reynolds Equation is used in EHD-design software based on FE-methods, which is used to compute pressure distributions, forces, deformations and many more parameters needed for the selection of the right bearing geometry. However, there are regions in the journal bearing where the Reynolds Equation must fail, because either the small gap criterion or the Couette flow assumption is violated. There are pockets, grooves and holes, which are necessary to distribute the oil supply across the gap. Moreover, the oil feed represents a cross flow perpendicular to the circumferential main flow. In these regions three dimensional flow structures replace the undisturbed Couette flow, which are strongly affected by vortices, but are non-turbulent due to the Re-scale. This work presents experimental data obtained from a cylinder apparatus with moderate gap sizes, which features independently rotating cylinders and a cross flow through a hole in the sidewall. LDV-measurements of velocity profiles and visualization methods to animate the three dimensional nature of the flow are presented. The experimental data are used to validate 3D-CFD calculations, which are expanded towards smaller gap sizes in the range of typical journal bearings in automotive applications.
Description: This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/6919
ISBN: 978-1-902316-72-7
978-1-902316-73-4
Appears in Collections:Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB)
The Brunel Collection

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