Abstract
This paper contains an application of the hydrodynamical theory of lubrication to the practical design of journal bearings. In a simplified method satisfactory for most engineering applications the authors consider the journal bearing as a plane bearing. Then correction factors make allowance for (1) the type of the journal bearing, (2) the shape of the oil film and width-length ratio of the bearing, and (3) the losses in the nonactive parts of the bearing.
In a more accurate method, the same correction factors are applied to the rather complete data published on journal bearings of infinite width. It is also shown that the clearance of the bearing can vary between rather large values and still maintain closely optimum conditions of performance of the bearing. Results of tests are shown to be in close agreement with these methods of calculation.
