Determination of Dynamic Coefficients in a Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing Based on the 3-D Navier-Stokes Equations and Considering Cavitation Effects

Dynamic coefficients are very important for the stability of a hydrodynamic journal bearing and therefore for its design. In order to determine the stiffness, damping and added mass coefficients of the hydrodynamic bearing, the finite perturbation method around its stabilization position was employed. Based on the Reynolds equation with Gumbel cavitation algorithm, the maximum magnitude of the perturbation was judged by comparing results from finite perturbation (numerical way) to those from infinitesimal perturbation (additional analytical equations need to be derived based on order analysis), as well as theoretical analysis. Using the determined perturbation amplitude, the full three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in CFD-ACE+ were used to evaluate coefficients from an actual lubricant and compare to those obtained with Reynolds equation. Finally, a homogeneous gaseous cavitation algorithm is coupled with the Navier-Stokes equation to establish the pressure distribution in the bearing. When gas concentration was varied, the pressure distribution as well as the dynamic coefficients changed significantly.