Abstract
The similarity conditions for the phenomena in a lubricating film follow from the Reynolds equation and from the energy equation. It will be shown that with the aid of some justifiable simplifications the properties of a bearing may be described by two characteristic magnitudes only. From the inlet viscosity, a loading value and a similarly constituted temperature rise value may be derived. Further, since an approximation method is used, the calculation effort has been considerably reduced. (A similar form of approximation was used by Schiebel and Vogelpohl for the finite bearing.)
The results obtained for a 360° bearing are compared with those obtained by Motosh, which were calculated from a more complicated numerical method. As an example of the description of the bearing characteristics, calculations are made for a 120° bearing, and the temperature and pressure curves together with the loading and temperature rise values are shown in the form of curves. The limitations on the use of adiabatic conditions are illustrated by an example. Finally, the effects arising from the variation of viscosity with pressure are demonstrated by means of a further example. In the application of the method, it is not necessary to calculate with a mean value of viscosity for the lubricating medium in the lubricating gap, so that more reliable calculations are possible.
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