Study on the lubrication performance of journal bearings considering misalignment and cavitation effects

Journal misalignment and cavitation effects can significantly affect the dynamic performance of bearings. In this study, the Reynolds equation considering mass conservation is adopted to consider the cavitation effect, and the effects of different misalignment angles on the bearing lubrication performance are investigated, including BLC (bearing load-carrying capacity), MOP (maximum oil film pressure), FC (friction coefficients), SAA (stabilized attitude angle), SC (stiffness coefficient), DC (damping coefficient), and stability margin. The model’s precision is validated through a comparison between experimental findings and published studies. The results demonstrate that journal misalignment significantly increases the dynamic performance of the bearings and improves the stability. While cavitation effect reduces the BLC and adversely affects the stability. The obtained results are crucial for the optimal design of bearing structures and the enhancement of their stability.