Novel approach to solve the dynamical porous journal bearing problem

Analytical pressure solutions are a simple and robust way to model plain journal bearings in rotordynamics, but cannot be extended to porous journal bearings. Using the method of weighted residuals—viz. Galerkin's method with global shape functions—a novel and fast approach to solve the dynamical porous journal bearing problem is proposed. This approach allows for the influence of rough surfaces on the hydrodynamic pressure implemented through flow-factors, journal misalignment and calculation of stiffness and damping coefficients for finite bearings. The proposed method will be verified using analytical expressions and new results will be shown for porous journal bearings including the influence of rough surfaces.

► A novel and fast approach to solve the dynamical journal bearing problem. ► Surface roughness with flow-factors for porous journal bearings. ► Stiffness and damping coefficients for porous bearings including influence of surface roughness.