Computational investigation on the performance of hydrodynamic micro-textured journal bearing lubricated with micropolar fluid using mass-conserving numerical approach

Abstract

<jats:p> The tribological characteristic of journal bearing systems can be enhanced with the integrating of textures in the contact interfaces, or using the lubricating effect of non-Newtonian fluids. In this study, the combined effects of bearing surface texturing and non-Newtonian lubricants behavior, using micropolar fluid model, on static characteristics of hydrodynamic circular journal bearings of finite length are highlighted. The modified Reynolds equation of micropolar lubrication theory is solved using finite differences scheme and Elrod's mass conservation algorithm, taking into account the presence of the cylindrical texture shape on full and optimum bearing surfaces. The optimization textured area is carried out through particle swarm optimization algorithm, in order to increase the load lifting capacity. Preliminary results are in good agreement with the reference ones, and present an enhancement in the performances of micro-textured journal bearings (load carrying capacity and friction). The results suggest that texturing the bearing convergent zone significantly increases the load carrying capacity and reduce friction coefficient, while fully texturing causes bad performances. It is also shown that the micropolar fluids exhibit better performances for smooth journal bearings than a Newtonian fluid depending on the size of material characteristic length and the coupling number. The combined effects of fully surface textured with micropolar fluids reduce the performance of journal bearing, especially at lower eccentricity ratios. Considering the optimal arrangement of textures on the contact surface, a significant improvement in terms of load capacity and friction can be achieved, particularly at high eccentricity ratios, high material characteristic lengths and high values of the coupling numbers of micropolar fluids. </jats:p>

Influence of the distribution position and arrangement of micro-textured on the performance of the hydrostatic bearing

“…In summary, the performance of the bearing is improved by adjusting the distribution position of the micro-textured. This confirms the findings of Manser et al (2020a, 2020b), Sharma et al (2019) and Tala-Ighil and Fillon (2015) that there are differences in the optimal location of the micro-textured due to different structural parameters and operating conditions of the bearings. In this paper, bearing performance is improved when the textured is located in the maximum pressure area.…”

“…Researchers have investigated several methods to improve the performance of bearings from bearing structure, fluid media and active control (Sawano et al, 2015;Manser et al, 2020aManser et al, , 2020bRehman et al, 2021). Surface micro-textured technology is considered to be an effective method to improve the lubrication performance of friction surfaces (Yang et al, 2020;Zhang and Bijay, 2018).…”

“…Singh and Awasthi (2021) investigated the effect of the shape and size of the micro-textured on the performance parameters of the journal bearing system and found that the spherical texture with an aspect ratio close to 1 improved the bearing performance well. Manser et al (2020aManser et al ( , 2020b designed the effect of eight shapes of microtextured on the performances of the hydrodynamic bearing and the results showed that the wedge effect and micro-step are the The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at: https://www.emerald.com/insight/0036-8792.htm mechanisms to enhance the performance of the bearing. Sharma et al (2019) investigated the effect of the depth, area and distribution of the chevron-shaped surface texture on the static performance of the hydrodynamic journal bearing to determine the optimum texture parameters.…”

CFD Analysis of Journal Bearing with a Heterogeneous Rough/Smooth Surface

“…Wang et al [9] revealed that the provision of a texture in the form of a convex-concave spherical texture configuration on the bearing surface was able to significantly reduce the friction coefficient. An interesting finding was reported by Manser et al [10] who found that by combining the effects of micro-texturing and micro-polar non-Newtonian lubricant, an enhancement load support but low friction of journal bearing was achieved. In recent lubrication, Saleh et al [11] revealed that to get a high load-support, a convex texture with a perpendicular direction of curvature was recommended.…”

Analysis of elliptical dam bearing lubricated with micropolar fluid

“…For a single layer porous bearing, they found better performance when the mass flow rate is reduced by 40% in comparison with Newtonian fluid. Manser et al (2020) highlighted the enhancement in the performance of textured journal bearing with micropolar lubricant, especially at higher eccentricity.…”