Aspects of the performance of externally pressurized journal bearings

The performance of externally pressurized journal bearings with four and six pockets was investigated experimentally. The influences of supply pressure, rotation and restrictor characteristics on the behaviour of the bearings operating under static loading are examined in the light of available theoretical and design information.Load capacities were found to be generally higher with the greater number of pockets but for both bearings the loads supported at given eccentricities are strongly influenced, in some ways unexpectedly, by restrictor non-linearity and the effects of rotation. At low supply pressures the loads are enhanced by increased rotational speeds whereas at high supply pressures the opposite occurs.