Analysis of a Hydrodynamic Thrust Bearing With Incomplete Film

The possibility of an incomplete lubricating film due to directed lubrication in hydrodynamic thrust bearings is considered. The free boundaries of the wetted area on a flat sector-shaped pad are determined by a simultaneous iterative solution of the Reynolds equation and a flow equation. Bearing load carrying capacity and power loss are calculated for a variety of inlet geometries, and a comparison is made with a complete fluid film bearing. It is found that bearing performance can be very much affected by the radial location of lubricant supply to the pads.