Study on MR fluid hybrid hole-entry spherical journal bearing with micro-grooves

Abstract

Abstract In recent times, there has been an increasing use of smart fluids in fluid film bearing applications so as to control the bearing performance. A magneto-rheological fluid exhibits excellent characteristics and dynamic controllability. The developed model in the present work examines the non-linear behavior of magneto-rheological fluid on performance of micro-grooved hole-entry hybrid spherical journal bearing system. The various geometric shapes of the micro-grooves i.e., rectangular, circular and triangular have been considered so as to study the effect of geometric shapes of micro-grooves on the bearing performance. The modified Reynolds equation along with restrictor flow equation is solved using Finite element method. The numerically simulated results indicate that use of micro-grooves and magneto-rheological fluid improves the value of minimum fluid film thickness and stability of bearing system. The developed model is expected to be beneficial for design and analysis of hybrid hole-entry spherical journal bearings.