Experimental evidence of a two-axial groove hydrodynamic journal bearing under severe operation conditions

In this study, an experimental investigation of the influence of the applied static load and rotational speed on the behaviour of a 160-mm diameter cylindrical journal bearing with two axial grooves was conducted. The rotational speed ranged from 66 rpm to 1440 rpm, and the applied static load varied from 0 kN to 350 kN in the vertical direction. The profiles of the pressure and the oil-film thickness during the shaft rotation have been measured by one proximity probe and one pressure probe installed in the rotating shaft. Measurements of the shaft centre position, dynamic coefficients, hydrodynamic pressure, temperature distributions on the bearing, film thickness, and bearing deformation under several operating conditions are presented and discussed.