Investigation of the coupled fluid-structure-acoustic dynamic behavior in novel stacked-structure water-lubricated bearings

Abstract

Water-lubricated bearings are critical components in marine propulsion systems. They must reliably sustain load transmission and accommodate vibration propagation under demanding operating conditions. Bearing performance directly affects propulsion efficiency, operational reliability, and onboard noise emissions. This study proposes a novel laminated water-lubricated bearing design to mitigate propulsion-shaft noise and improve crew survivability. A coupled fluid–structure–acoustic (FSA) model is developed to characterize the bearing response under representative operating conditions. The effects of key operating and structural parameters on lubrication performance and noise radiation are systematically quantified. In addition, the influence of soft–hard material combinations on fluid–structure interactions is examined, elucidating the relationship between bearing deformation and the resulting stress–strain response across different scenarios. The results advance the understanding of multiphysics coupling in water-lubricated bearings and provide a theoretical basis for optimizing and deploying modern laminated bearings, thereby underscoring their engineering significance.