Hydrodynamic Bearings -

Design

Lecture 26

Engineering 473
Machine Design
 Governing Equation
In the previous lecture, the momentum and continuity
equations were used to develop the following equation

h (x ) dp dh (x )
3
= 6U
x dx dx

This equation was generalized to include lubricant flow

in both the circumferential and longitudinal directions
( )3
h x dp

( )
h x dp

3
= 6U
dh (x )
x dx z dz
dx

This equation is generally solved using

specialty computer programs.
 Design Variables

Independent Variables Dependent Variables

Viscosity, Friction, f
Load, P (W/projected Area) Temperature rise, T
Speed, N Volumetric flow rate, Q
Dimensions r, c, , and L Minimum film thickness, ho

The objective of the design engineer is to select the

independent variables necessary to achieve desired
performance criteria. The dependent variables will
be dictated by the selections made for the
independent variables.
 Graphical Data
Raimondi and Boyd (1958) did extensive numerical studies
on the relationships between the various parameters that
govern the design of fluid film bearings and published
graphical data to facilitate the design of such bearings.

The charts presented in this lecture are for long bearings

with =360o (full bearings).

Albert Raimondi and John Boyd, A Solution for the Finite

Journal Bearing and Its Application to Analysis and Design,
Parts I, II, and III, Transactions of American Society of
Lubrication Engineers, Vol. 1, No. 1, in Lubrication Science
and Technology, Pergamon, New York, 1958, 159-209.
Viscosity-Temperature Charts
The viscosity of lubricants
used in fluid-film bearings
are very temperature
dependent.

As work is done on the fluid

as it moves through the
bearing it heats up.

The viscosity used in the

design/analysis of a fluid-
film bearing should be based
on the average temperature.
Shigley, Fig. 12-11
Average Temperature
Tout = Tin + T

Tin + Tout
Tave =
2

T
Tave = Tin +
2
An initial T is estimated
at the start of an analysis.

Iteration will be required

based on the actual T.
Shigley, Fig. 12-11
 Sommerfeld Number
The Sommerfeld Number is used extensively
in journal bearing design.

r journal radius
2 c clearance
r N
S= dynamic viscosity
c P N rotational speed (rev/sec)
P bearing load/projected area

Note that consistent units must be used. The

unit for the Sommerfeld number is Rev.
A. Sommerfeld, Zur Hdrodynamischen Theorie der Schmiermittel-
Reibung, Z. Math. Physik, vol. 50, 1904, pp 97-155.
 Example Problem
Given design parameters:

SAE 30 Oil
Tin = 150 oF (oil inlet temperature)
N = 30 rev/sec (journal rotational speed)
W = 500 lb (total load acting on bearing)
r = 0.75 in (journal radius)
c = 0.0015 in (clearance between journal and bearing)
L = 1.50 in (length of bearing)

Use the Raimondi-Boyd charts to determine the

bearing performance parameters.
 Step 1 Estimate Average
Lubricant Temperature
Assume a temperature rise in the oil of 34oF.

T
Tave = Tin +
2

34F
Tave = 150F + = 167F
2
Step 2 Find Average Viscosity

= 2.2 reyn

Shigley, Fig. 12-11

 Step 3 Compute Force/Projected
Area (P)

W 500 lb
P= =
2 r L 2 0.75 in 1.5 in

P = 222 lb/in 2
Step 4 Compute L/D and Bearing
Characteristic Number

1.5 in
L/D = = 1.0
2(0.75 in)

2
r N
S=
c P
0.75 in
=
2
(

)
2.2x106 lb sec/in 2 (30 rev/sec)

2
0.0015 in 222 lb/in
S = 0.0743
 Step 5 Find Minimum Film
Thickness and Eccentricity
h0
= 0.28
c

e
= = 0.7
c

Contact Light Load

Shigley, Fig. 12-14
Step 5 Continued

h0
= 0.28
c

=> h 0 = 0.28(0.0015 in ) = 0.00042 in

e
= = 0.72
c

=> e = 0.72(0.0015 in ) = 0.00108 in

Step 6 Find Position of Minimum
Film Thickness

= 44 degrees
 Step 7 Find the Maximum Film
Pressure

P
= 0.36
Pmax

Pmax = 222/0.36 = 617 psi

Step 8 Find Location of Maximum
Pressure = 18
p max

po = 65

Shigley Fig 12-21

Step 9 Find Coefficient of Friction

r
f = 2.5
c

0.0015 in
f = 2.5
0.75 in
f = 0.005
 Step 10 Find Horsepower Required
to Overcome Friction
W

T = f Wr ff = f W T = 0.005 500 lb 0.75 in

T = 1.88 in - lb
Pwr(hp)
T (in - lb ) = 63,000
N (rev/min )
Pwr =
(1.88 )(30 60 )
T (in lb ) N (rev/min )
63,000
Pwr(hp) = Pwr = 0.054 hp
63,000
Step 11 Find the Lubricant Flow
Rate
Q
= 3.5
r c NL

Q = 3.5 r c N L
Q = 3.5 (0.75 in )(0.0015 in )
(30 rev/sec)(1.5 in )
3
Q = 0.177 in
sec
Step 12 Find Side Flow Leakage
Qs
= 0.8
Q

3
Qs = 0.8 0.177 in
sec

3
Qs = 0.142 in
sec
Step 13 Find Temperature Rise of
Lubricant
It is assumed that all of the frictional energy is
converted to heat and carried away by the lubricant.
 =Q
W 
f
Tf = f W r
 = T
W f f
= 2 N
 =m
Q  c Tp  = Q
m
2 f W r N
Tf T =
T = Q c p
m cp
 Temperature Rise
(Continued)
2 f W r N in 3
T = Q = 0.177
Q cp sec
9,338lbf in = BTU
f = 0.005
W = 500 lbf
T = 16.4 F
r = 0.75 in
N = 30 rev/sec Note that a temperature rise
of 34 oF was assumed when
c = 0.42 BTU the average temperature was
p lbf R
estimated.
= 0.86
lb ft 3
The analysis needs to be
H 2O = 62.4 f
3

3 repeated with an improved
ft 1728 in
estimate for Tave.
 Assignment

A journal bearing has a diameter of 3 in and is 1.5 in

long; it supports a load of 800 lbf. The journal speed is
600 rev/min and the radial clearance is 0.0025 in. Find
the minimum oil-film thickness and the maximum film
pressure for both SAE 10 and SAE 40 lubricants if the
operating temperature is 150 oF.

Discuss why one has a larger film thickness than the

other.