Effect of turbulence on lubrication behaviors of a new bearing under bi-misaligned status: Theoretical and experimental study

Turbulence has significant impacts on lubrication characteristics of the misaligned bearings. Modified lubrication models with turbulent & misaligned effects are constructed. The influences of velocity, load and lubricant viscosity on static & dynamic characteristic with two flow models and four misaligned cases are analyzed. The changing rules of the lubrication performance with different misaligned statuses are revealed. Comparative results reveal that the lubrication film thickness of misaligned bearings decreases, the friction force increases, and the lubrication performance decreases. The maximum pressure considering turbulence effects is smaller than that of the laminar-flow model, while minimum film thickness is thicker than that of laminar flow model. Results provide theoretical and practical basis for optimum design of such bearings.