Wear Influence on Performance of Conical Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing

In many industries, hydrodynamic journal bearings support the rotor in rotating machineries like large turbines, generators, compressors, gearboxes, etc. where load acts in both axial as well as radial direction. Conical journal bearings are more suitable in such applications where both radial and axial load acts on rotating parts. In conical hydrodynamic journal bearings, wear occurs due to continuous use of rotating parts and frequent start-stop activity. The objective of this work is to analyze the wear influence on conical hydrodynamic journal bearing. To achieve this, both experimental and analytical methods are used in this work. Analytically, Reynold's equation with spherical coordinate system is solved using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method. In experimental method, Hydraulic oil of Viscosity Grade ISO VG46 is used in Conical Hydrodynamic Journal Bearing (CHJB) test rig along with 10°, 20° and 30° semi-cone angle bearings. The experimental outcomes are in good compliance with that of analytical. The result shows that unworn bearing performance is better compared to worn bearing. The results will be helpful to anticipate the actual behavior of worn conical hydrodynamic journal bearing wherever it is used like in case of blood flow pump, large turbine, etc.