A Comparative Study on the Working Efficiency of Journal Bearing Employing Different Micro-Textures

This study proposed the different micro-textures of the SC (square cylinder), SWS (square wedge shape), HS (hemispherical shape), and CR (cylindrical round) to improve the working efficiency of the journal bearing. A hydrodynamic lubrication model of the journal bearing under the impact of the changing dynamic loads is established to analyze the performance of micro-textures. The maximum oil film pressure and minimum frictional force in the journal bearing are selected as two evaluation indices. Some outstanding research results show that all the SC, SWS, HS, and CR added on the bearing surface improved the working efficiency of the journal bearing better than without the micro-textures. Moreover, the HS also improved the working efficiency of the journal bearing better than other structures of SC, SWS, and CR. To optimize the working efficiency of the journal bearing using HS, the dimension l_tex and depth h_tex of HS should be selected and designed in a range of 3.6 < l_tex ≤ 3.9 mm and 7.5 ≤ h_tex ≤ 10 μm, especially at l_tex = 3.6 mm and h_tex = 10 μm. Research results not only provide a detailed assessment of the lubrication efficiency of different micro-textures but also find a new structure of HS with their optimal parameters to further improve the working efficiency of the journal bearings.