Multi-objective design optimization of hydrodynamic journal bearings using a hybrid approach

Abstract

Purpose In this work, the design problem of hydrodynamic plain journal bearings is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem to improve bearing performance under different operating conditions. Design/methodology/approach The problem is solved using a hybrid approach combining genetic algorithm and sequential quadratic programming. The selected state variables are oil leakage flow rate, power loss and minimum oil film thickness. The selected design variables are the radial clearance, length-to-diameter ratio, oil viscosity, oil supply pressure and oil supply groove angular position. A validated empirical model is adopted to provide relatively accurate estimation of the bearing state variables with reduced computations. Pareto optimal solution sets are obtained for different operating conditions, and secondary selection criteria are proposed to choose a final optimum design. Findings The adopted hybrid optimization approach is a random search algorithm that generates a different solution set for each run, thus a different bearing design. For a number of runs, it is found that the key design variables that significantly affect the optimum state variables are the bearing radial clearance, oil viscosity and oil supply pressure. Additionally, oil viscosity is found to represent the significant factor that distinguishes the optimum designs obtained using the implemented secondary selection criteria. Finally, the results of the proposed optimum design framework at different operating conditions are presented and compared. Originality/value The proposed multi-objective formulation of the bearing design problem can provide engineers with a systematic approach and an important degree of flexibility to choose the optimum design that best fits the application requirements.