Performance analysis of flexible multirecess hydrostatic journal bearing operating with micropolar lubricant

ABSTRACT This paper presents the analytical study of the effect of the bearing shell flexibility on the performance of multirecess hydrostatic journal bearing system operating with micropolar lubricant. The modified Reynolds equation for the flow of micropolar lubricant through constant flow valve‐compensated hydrostatic journal bearing has been solved by finite element technique based on Galerkins method, and the resulting elastic deformation in the bearing shell due to fluid‐film pressure has been determined iteratively, in which the deformation coefficient accounts for the bearing shell flexibility. The computed results suggest that the influence of the micropolar effect on bearing performance characteristics is significantly affected by the bearing shell flexibility. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.