Recently, herringbone-grooved journal bearings (HGJBs) have important applications in
high-speed rotating machinery. The groove action in pumping the lubricating fluid inward
generates supporting stiffness and improves the stability of the bearing when operating
concentrically. Several researchers have investigated the static and dynamic characteristics
of HGJBs and grooved thrust bearings. Most of these investigations were theoretical
and concentrated on HGJBs with rectangular-profile grooves. In the present work,
the static and dynamic characteristics of the beveled-step HGJBs are experimentally
investigated. The bearing attitude angle, pressure distribution, and bearing friction
torque were measured on a hydrodynamic lubrication unit, and then the static and dynamic
characteristics were determined. The obtained experimental results are compared
to the obtained experimental results for plain journal bearing. The merits as well as the
demerits of the groove profile were discussed through comparisons with plain journal
bearings.
DOI: 10.1115/1.2908903