The type of data required to check the operation of hydrodynamic bearings is discussed together with some of the more common instrumentation methods. Attention is drawn to the following methods of film thickness measurement: measurement of the operation of whole bearing parts; the capacitance and inductance methods, their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages; optical methods.
The measurement of local film pressure is discussed as also is individual pressure tapping, the installation of thermocouples, and the requirements for zero conduction error. The advantages of mounting instrumentation in the moving surface are given together with some design points for this type of dynamic transducer.
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