Flow Transition Criteria in a Journal Bearing

High speed Couette type flow was studied for small clearance ratios (C/R = 0.0055 and 0.0031). Water flow pattern visualiszations and torque measurements were performed. Results show that Taylor vortices occur at values predicted by theory, they precede turbulence effects and cause an increase in torque which depends on the clearance ratio. Transition between vortex and turbulent flow is gradual and appears to depend on the Taylor number. Taylor vortices can be found in plain bearings.