Visualization of flow in a sintered journal bearing through Hele-Shaw analogy

An experiment using a modified Hele-Shaw cell was performed to visualize the flow patterns in a concentric rotating cylinder with a porous sleeve, which simulates a sintered journal bearing. A custom-made stainless steel shaft was inserted through the Hele-Shaw cell that was filled with 50 cP silicone oil with suspended tracers. It has been observed that the flow in the Hele-Shaw cell can be divided into four regions, the shear, the convective, the porous, and the stagnant regions. The shear region, which is located right next to the rotating shaft, is driven by the shear effect. In this region, the fluid particles rotate due to the shearing action induced by the rotating shaft. The convective region is driven by the buoyancy effect. In this region, the appearance of two convective cells is possible if a significant temperature difference exists between the shaft and the fluid. In the porous region, penetration of convective flow is observed but is very weak. The stagnant region has never been disclosed in any related studies. It is probably due to the presence of tracing particles, which may have damped out the interactions from buoyancy and shear force.

► A concentric rotating cylinder with a porous sleeve simulates a sintered journal bearing.
► We experimentally visualize the flow patterns in a concentric rotating cylinder with a porous sleeve.
► The main flow regions in the Hele-Shaw cell are the shear, the convective, and the porous regions.