A Numerical Study of Circumferential Groove Effect on the Thermohydrodynamic Performance of a Journal Bearing

A circumferential feeding groove is frequently used in applications where the applied load has a variable direction such as crankcase bearings and automotive turbocharger bearings. In this work a journal bearing with a circumferential feeding groove in loaded zone has been simulated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Navier–Stokes equation has been solved using CFD software FLUENT, heat transfer in bush has been considered and full cavitation model has been used. The agreement observed between theoretical predictions and classics published data is acceptable. The results show that: if viscosity is assumed to be a constant, the bearing carrying capacity will be overvalued. A central circumferential groove in load zone makes the maximum bush temperature be increased and bearing carrying capacity be decreased. The groove divided the oil film into two symmetry parts and decreased the maximum pressure at a given eccentricity ratio.