Analysis of Crankshaft Bearings Using a Mass Conserving Algorithm

A mass conserving algorithm (Elrod algorithm) which uses the Jakobsson, Floberg, and Olsson cavitation boundary conditions has been implemented to analyze crankshaft bearings. The main and connecting rod bearings of a typical automotive engine are considered. Some sample steady-state results are presented. The inverse problem (given the load, find the journal orbit) is solved for real engine loads. Comparisons are made with a non-conservative algorithm based on the Reynolds boundary condition. Significant differences in the cavitation zones and oil flows are observed between the two algorithms. In all cases, the oil flow into the bearing is found to match the oil flow out of the bearing for the Elrod algorithm.