Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/9287
Title: Three-dimensional simulation of cavitating flow in real journal bearing geometry
Authors: Schmidt, M
Reinke, P
Nobis, M
Riedel, M
4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014)
Keywords: Micro flow;Journal bearing;Cavitation;CFD
Issue Date: 2014
Publisher: Brunel University London
Citation: 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference, University College London, UK, 7-10 September 2014, Editors CS König, TG Karayiannis and S. Balabani
Series/Report no.: ID 29
Abstract: Hydrodynamic journal bearings are commonly used in many technical applications because they provide low friction and minimal wear. In general, flow simulation during the engineering design process is carried out by means of the Reynolds equation. The Reynolds equation is a non-linear two-dimensional differential equation, which is based on the pressure and the gap between shaft and bushing in relation to bearing clearance, eccentricity, bushing deformation and load. However, due its two-dimensional nature it is inaccurate where the lubricant flow inside the bearing becomes three-dimensional e.g., in the vicinity of feed holes or grooves. The work on hand presents the numerical approach and the cavitation model based on the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. Moreover, a bearing flow experiment was designed and constructed with the goal to validate numerical results. Finally, the validated 3D simulation model is applied on a real bearing, which was subject to an experimental investigation targeting cavitation. The numerical results include images of complex three-dimensional flow structures, vortices and vapor distributions. In comparison of 2D and 3D simulation, the two-dimensional approach gives wrong information in 2 out of 6 critical regions pertaining cavitation failing in both, over- and under-prediction of cavitation. In summary, a new numerical model expands the scope for the numerical simulation of the lubricant flow in hydrodynamic journal bearings and improves the prediction of cavitation.
Description: This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/9287
ISBN: 978-1-908549-16-7
Appears in Collections:Brunel Institute for Bioengineering (BIB)
The Brunel Collection

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
MNF2014_WHZ_paper_rev_final.pdf802.64 kBAdobe PDFView/Open


Items in BURA are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.