Steady state and dynamic characteristics of partial journal bearings

The response of the lubricant film of a partial journal bearing to displacements and velocities of its journal for laminar Newtonian flow of the lubricant is presented. The bearing force coefficients (spring and damping coefficients) were evaluated experimentally on a sophisticated test rig, with control over all the essential variables. Test results are presented in non-dimensional form and are applicable to a bearing of 130° arc and with a length-to-diameter ratio of 0.8. Useful design data and a theoretical comparison are given.