Investigations on the oil-air two-phase flow characteristics of the bearing chamber

Abstract

To investigate the impact of the oil-air flow within the bearing chamber on oil return, a numerical calculation method for the oil-air ratio in the bearing chamber is developed. This method is founded on the VOF (Volume of Fluid) model and the RNG k-ε model, and is validated through experiments. The oil distribution and oil return ratio in the bearing chamber are examined under different conditions. The results indicate that as the rotational speed rises, both the remaining oil quantity and the oil return ratio at the outlet decline. When the oil supply flow rate increases, the oil film accumulates, but the oil return amount decreases. As the air supply flow rate increases, the remaining oil quantity and the oil film thickness decrease, along with the oil return ratio at the outlet. This research provides critical insights into the oil-air two-phase flow behavior in bearing chambers, which is essential for optimizing lubrication systems in high-speed rotating machinery.