Abstract
In liquid lubricated journal bearings an accurate assessment of the flowrate requires detailed consideration of the extent of the cavitated or ruptured region. Particular difficulties are encountered analytically when attempting to locate the boundary where the lubricant film reforms, normally in the vicinity of a supply groove. Most bearing analyses omit a consideration of this reformation boundary because of such difficulties. However, it is now widely recognized that the prediction of flowrate may be seriously in error if reformation effects are not incorporated in the analysis. In the present paper an externally pressurized, grooved, rectangular pad, slider hearing is examined. An air-lubricant interface may form in such a bearing which is akin to the reformation boundary encountered in journal bearings. A numerical analysis scheme to locate the interface is described in detail and theoretical predictions of bearing flowrate and interface position presented for a wide range of conditions. A comparison of the analytical predictions with experimental measurements is undertaken.
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