Computational modeling demonstrates how surface roughness and electric polarization alter pressure generation in journal bearings, suggesting design strategies for electrified machinery.
Key Points
To develop a generalized average-flow Reynolds equation that incorporates electric and magnetic body forces along with surface roughness effects in lubricated systems.
Extended the Patir–Cheng average-flow framework to integrate coupled electromagnetic body forces, analyzing electric polarization in dielectric lubricants as a model system.
Derived and solved flow-factor model problems to establish mathematical analogies between polarization potential gradients and classical hydrodynamic pressure.
Simulated journal bearing lubrication performance across longitudinal, transverse, and isotropic surface roughness orientations.
Electric polarization flow and shear-stress factors proved equivalent to classical Patir–Cheng factors when polarization potential gradients remained independent of local roughness.
Surface roughness modified electric polarization lubrication according to texture alignment, with longitudinal roughness boosting pressure buildup and transverse or isotropic roughness diminishing it.