Computer-aided design (CAD) of full hydrodynamic journal bearings: Fid-Bau Portal

Computer-aided design (CAD) of full hydrodynamic journal bearings

Es-Saheb, M.H. / Al-Kalifa, Y.A.

Since the equations involved in solving bearing problems are tedious to work with, calculations are most easily made by the use of bearing performance charts. But still the design of journal bearings is a relatively cumbersome iterative process that involves the use of various data charts and tables, thus leading to time consuming and less accurate results. Therefore, a complete computer-aided design (CAD) procedure covering the basic methods for designing a full hydrodynamic journal bearing of finite length is developed and presented. The theoretical data and relevant empirical charts are collected and presented in appropriate formats. Also, the design variables of load per unit of projected bearing area, and bearing clearance in industrial applications, needed in the bearing design, are derived and incorporated in the design process. However, when designing a bearing for a given application, an infinite number of solutions is possible. Thus, certain limitations are imposed on the values of the bearing performance variables including stability, based on empirical guidelines. Consequently, one may select the solution for optimum conditions, say of maximum load capacity, or the minimum power loss (i.e. minimum friction). Finally, the CAD programme developed and constructed is general, fully automated, flexible, extendable, interactive and friendly to use.