Thermal Effects in Dynamically Loaded Flexible Journal Bearings

A method of taking into account the thermal effects when simulating dynamically loaded, flexible, journal bearings on a computer will be introduced. The method is an extension of Van der Tempel’s model for a flexible, short journal bearing under severe dynamic duty, with partial circumferential supply grooves, cavitation and cavitation induced starvation. It incorporates the heat generation due to the viscous dissipation and the cooling due to the axial and circumferential flow of lubricant. The results for the film thicknesses, the lubricant flow, the viscous dissipation and the temperature distribution in two specific connecting-rod bearing configurations will be presented.