Evaluation of Oil Film Pressure and Temperature of an Elliptical Journal Bearing - An Experimental Study

The present study is aimed at experimental evaluation of both oil film pressure and temperature at the central plane of finite elliptical journal bearing configuration. These parameters have been obtained by running the machine at various speeds under different applied loads ranging from 500 N to 2000 N using three different grades of oil (HYDROL 32, 68 and 150). The data has been obtained through a test rig which is capable of measuring both pressure and temperature at the same location on the elliptical bearing profile. An elliptical journal bearing with journal diameter=100 mm, L/D ratio=1.0, Ellipticity Ratio=1.0 and radial clearance=0.1 mm has been designed and tested to access the pressure and temperature rise of the oil film at the central plane of the bearing. Two different lobes of positive pressure have been obtained for elliptical bearing which results in smaller area for cavitation zone and accounts for better thermal stability. Also, with the increase in load both pressure and temperature of an oil film increases for all the three grades of oil. Experimentally, it has been established that the HYDROL 68 is suitable grade of lubricating oil which gives the optimum rise of pressure and temperate under all operating conditions among the lubricating oils under study.