Effects of bushing profiles on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance of the journal bearing under steady operating conditions

The bushing profiles have important effects on the performance of journal bearing. In this article, the effects of plain profile, double conical profile, and double parabolic profile on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication of the journal bearing under steady operating conditions are investigated. The journal misalignment and asperity contact between journal and bushing surface are considered, while the modification of the bushing profiles due to running-in is neglected. Finite element method is used for the elastic deformation of bushing surface, while the numerical solution is established by using finite difference method and overrelaxation iterative method. The numerical results reveal that the double parabolic profile with appropriate size can significantly increase the minimum film thickness and reduce the asperity contact pressure and friction, while the maximum film pressure, load-carrying capacity, and leakage flow rate change slightly under steady operating conditions. This study may help to reduce the edge wear and prolong the service life of the journal bearing.