Analytical Curve Fits for Solution Parameters of Dynamically Loaded Journal Bearings

The mobility method of solution is frequently used for analyzing dynamically loaded journal bearings. Curve fits of journal-bearing solutions are used in this method. All the currently available curve fits are lacking in one or more of three important features—the solution accuracy, the solution detail, and the solution time. A new set of analytical curve fits is presented in this paper. The set includes: the two components of mobility vectors, location and magnitude of maximum film pressure, and the starting and finishing angles of the pressure curve. For an ideal journal bearing, the new curve fits give accuracy and solution detail comparable to an expensive finite-element analysis, while keeping the solution time comparable to that required for the short-bearing approximation. An example is presented to demonstrate the use of the new curve fits.