Effect of Textured Shapes on Slot Entry Hybrid Conical Journal Bearing with ER Lubricant Behavior

This paper investigates the influence of textured shapes and electrorheological fluid (ERF) behavior on slot entry 'hybrid conical journal bearing system' (HCJBs). The slot entry restrictor is used as a compensating element to supply the lubricant in the clearance space. Spherical, rectangular, and triangular textured shapes over the surface of conical bearings have been employed. Further, the intelligent properties of ERF on the behavior of textured slot entry HCJBs have been analyzed. The finite element method (FEM) and the successive iteration-based Gauss-Seidel method have been used to solve the modified Reynolds equation. The results drawn from this study show different influences on the bearing performance for different textured shapes. Using textured surfaces and ERF improves the minimum fluid film thickness, stability, and bearing stiffness compared to the non-textured bearing.