The main features of a comprehensive set of pressure measurements, obtained from a short, plain journal bearing, are presented. The pressure field in the lubricant film was measured in both the circumferential and axial directions over a Reynolds number range of 40–50,000. In cases where the film is noncavitating the pressure distributions are separated into viscous and inertial components. The inertial components are found to agree fairly well with an approximate short bearing theory. Axially averaged, total pressure distributions are compared with the predictions of a simple, empirical theory based on measured friction factors and incorporating inertial effects.
Experimental results are presented, relating to the friction factor, load capacity and attitude angle, for a plain, cylindrical journal bearing with a central, circumferential inlet groove. The length to diameter ratio of the journal bearing was 1/3 and the clearance ratio was 0.011. By the use of various lubricants, including water, Reynolds numbers ranging from 40 to 50 OOO were attained. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are given. It is shown that a simple, empirical theory, which incorporates measured friction factors, gives better agreement with the experimental load capacity results than previous theories.
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