Classical Bearing Misalignment and Edge Loading: A Numerical Study of Limiting Cases

This paper investigates transient and steady state behavior of grooveless (angularly) misaligned bearings using finite element formulations of the complete two-dimensional Reynolds equation. Performance trends of misaligned bearings are compared with their aligned counterparts within the traditional framework of classical lubrication theory. Elastic/plastic deformations, thermal effects, surface roughness, and pressure-viscosity variations are not taken into account. It is found that misaligned bearings have infinite load and moment capacity as the endplane minimum film thickness approaches zero under transient journal squeeze motion and under steady load and speed conditions. These results differ markedly from finite capacity trends reported previously in both numerical and experimental studies. Predictions of squeeze rate and load capacity based on axially aligned bearings are also shown to be sufficient to approximate squeeze rate and load capacity for misaligned bearings for an appreciable range of midplane eccentricity ratios.