An Experimental Study on Film Pressure Circumferential Distribution of Water-Lubricated Rubber Bearings with Multiple Grooves

Experimental research on the water film pressure of water-lubricated rubber bearings with multiple grooves (WLRBMG) was carried out. A test rig was designed that could measure various performance of WLRBMG to further study the properties of the bearing. The experimental results indicated that film pressure circumferential distribution of WLRBMG was different from that of conventional rigid bearings. The relatively low water film pressure led to a partial contact between the shaft and rubber bearings, which will cause significant rubber deformation. Integration of the friction coefficient and orbit of the shaft center also suggest that the WLRBMG operated in mixed lubrication. The multigroove structure had a significant influence on the film pressure circumferential distribution of WLRBMG. By detailed analysis of the experimental results, some properties and working mechanism of the WLRBMG have been found and demonstrated.