FTMD ITB 2019

Modul MS3202 Praktikum Fenomena Dasar Mesin

MODUL BANTALAN LUNCUR (BL)

Journal Bearing Demonstration Apparatus

1. Introduction

Journal bearings form the great majority of hydrodynamics bearings used in practice. Considerable
research has been carried out, both analytical and experimental, to study the behaviour of journal
bearings, even so an accurate prediction of their performance under operating conditions is difficult
to obtain.

The first investigator in this field was Osborne Reynolds who made notable contributions which for
many years were considered reliable. The next investigator was Sommerfeld who extended the work
of Reynolds, especially on the analytical side in the solution of the differential equation giving the
pressure distribution of the oil film. Many years later in 1924, Newkirk drew attention to the
phenomenon of “shaft whipping” or self-excited vibrations, as a result of which investigations in this
field greatly increased.

However, the problem is more complex with the very high shaft speeds and loads of today and still a
fertile field for investigation.

The apparatus described here is a small journal bearing demonstration rig as illustrated in Figure 1.
This apparatus is suitable to demonstrate the effect of the more important variables such as speed,
viscosity and load on the pressure distribution in a journal bearing. The pressure distribution of the oil
film can be compared with the Sommerfeld function. The equipment also provides a striking
demonstration of bearing whirl. The bearing is manufactured from the clear perspex, thus making the
oil film profile clearly visible when viewed from the front of the assembly.

The theoretical analysis of the pressure distribution in the oil film of a bearing is completely worked
out in the body of this module, taking into consideration both the whirl speed of the shaft and the
velocity of eccentricity, since this analysis is not readily available in text books. A typical experiment
to demonstrate the close uniformity of the Sommerfeld pressure function to the actual pressure
distribution in an oil film is described and typical results and observations shown.
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Modul MS3202 Praktikum Fenomena Dasar Mesin

Figure 1 The complete apparatus used in this experiment

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2. Description of the Apparatus

The complete version of the apparatus is illustrated in Fig 1 while the detailed components of the
journal bearing is shown in section in Fig 2. The equipment consists of a clears Perspex journal bearing
mounted freely on a steel journal shaft (A). The large diameter journal shaft is fixed directly onto a
motor shaft. The speed of the motor shaft (B) is finely controlled by the standard Tecquipment Control
Unit which is mounted within and to the front of the main framework. An electrical speed indicator
fitted to the end of the motor shaft, remote from the journal bearing end, is wired to a calibrated
meter within the control unit, thus allowing direct speed readings to be obtained. A speed range of
between 500 and 3000 rev/min can be obtained. A reversing switch is also incorporated in the control
unit so that both clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation can be examined.

(a)

(b)
Figure 2 The journal bearing apparatus (a) front view (b) right-side view
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The journal bearing (C) has twelve equispaced pressure tappings around its circumference and four
additional pressure tappings along its width. The latter four tappings are positioned on the topside of
the bearing and on a vertical radial plane. One end of the bearing is sealed by the flexible rubber
diaphragm (D) and the other by the clear Perspex disc and sealing ring (E). A cursor (F) fixed to the
journal bearing at its rear end moves against a single engraved line on a fixed frame (G). when the
bearing is in its normal position the cursor and frame mark are in line. Small weights (H) are added to
the two rods (J) during test to maintain the bearing in its normal position when taking readings. The
weights are freely adjustable along the rods.

Oil film pressures are monitored in a 180 cm (6 ft) tall, 16 tube, manometer board reading directly in
head of lubricant (see Fig 1). Clear flexible plastic tubes connect the manometer tubes to the brass
pressure tapping ferrules around the bearing, and thus permit the bearing to turn freely. The upper
ends of the manometer tubes are connected to a common manifold and any overflow is returned to
a reservoir contained on the left-hand side of the manometer board. This oil reservoir is adjustable in
height and is connected to the bearing by flexible plastic tube and shut-off tap. Oil from this supply
reservoir enters the bearing at both ends at its lowest point and outside the actual bearing area.

The general dimension about this equipment is

Diameter of Journal 50 mm
Diameter of Bearing 55 mm
Effective Width of Bearing 70 mm
Weight of each movable load 100 gram
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Modul MS3202 Praktikum Fenomena Dasar Mesin

3. Theory of Journal Bearing

3.1. Hydrodynamics of fluid flow between plates

Consider the oil film between two plates AB (moving with velocity U) and CD (stationer) as described
in the Fig. The velocity of the oil in contact with the plate AB will be U and the velocity of oil in contact
with CD will be 0 as CD is stationary.

The small elemental rectangular describing dx dy dz at any point are also shown in the Fig where 𝜏 is
the shear force between oil and p is pressure at any point (x, y, z).

U
x A
y =0 B
y
h p

C D
τ
(a)

p p + p/ x.dx

τ + τ/ y.dy

p + p/ y.dy
(b)
Figure 3 The illustration of journal bearing and its hydrodynamic behaviour (a) in two parallel plates and (b) the internal
forces working on the small rectangular element of oil film

The equation of the shear stress of the Newtonian Fluid is

𝜕𝑢
𝜏 = 𝜇 𝜕𝑦 (1)

Where 𝜇 is the viscosity of the fluid and u is the velocity in the x direction.

Suppose the element dx dy dz is in uniform motion in the direction x and no pressure change in the y
𝜕𝑝
direction, 𝜕𝑦 = 0 (p is independent of y), then resolving the force balance in x direction

𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑝
[𝜏 − (𝜏 + 𝜕𝑦 𝑑𝑦)] 𝑑𝑥. 𝑑𝑧 + [𝑝 − (𝑝 + 𝜕𝑥 𝑑𝑥)] 𝑑𝑦. 𝑑𝑧 = 0 (2)

It then leaves the equation become

𝜕𝜏 𝜕𝑝
− 𝜕𝑦 = 𝜕𝑥 (3)

Substituting for 𝜏 to the Equation 3

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𝜕𝜏 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕𝑝
− 𝜕𝑦 = −𝜇 𝜕𝑦 2 = 𝜕𝑥 (4)

Integrating the equation 4 with respect to y with boundary condition u = U when y = 0 and u = 0 when
y = h (see Figure 3), thus the velocity equation is obtained
𝑦 1 𝜕𝑝 𝑦
𝑢 = 𝑈(1 − ⁄ℎ) + 2𝜇 𝜕𝑥 (1 − ⁄ℎ)ℎ𝑦 (5)

3.2. Journal bearing analysis

The analysis is now conducted in the journal bearing system with the parameters are illustrated in the
Figure 4.

δ=R-r

R r

ω
θ
Centerline 00' e

h = δ + e cosθ

Figure 4 The parameter of journal bearing

𝜔 = speed of rotation of journal

R = radius of bearing
r = radius of journal
𝛿 = radial clearance (R – r)
h = thickness of the oil film
e = eccentricity (00’)
n = e/ 𝛿 or e = n 𝛿
𝜃 = the angle measured from the maximum thickness of the oil film. p = po at 𝜃 = 0 and 𝜃 = 180°.

Now suppose that the quantity of oil flow between journal and bearing is uniform flow following
Figure 4 in the direction of positive angle
𝑑𝑄 𝑑ℎ
= − 𝑑𝑡 (6)
𝑟𝑑𝜃

With the beginning of θ is started from the maximum thickness of the oil film (see Figure 4), thus

ℎ = 𝛿 + cos 𝜃 (7)
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Note that some books on lubrication give the Sommerfeld function with a negative sign for n. This is
true if 𝜃 is measured from the point of minimum thickness of the oil film, that is

ℎ = 𝛿(1 − 𝑛 cos 𝜃) = 𝛿(1 − 𝑒 cos 𝜃) (8)

Meanwhile, dh/dt is negative due to the thickness of oil film decreases with the increasing of angle, θ.
The -dh/dt becomes
𝑑ℎ 𝜕𝑒 𝜕𝑒
− 𝑑𝑡 = − 𝜕𝑡 cos 𝜃 + 𝑒 𝜕𝑡 sin 𝜃 (9)

Meanwhile, Q can be obtained from

ℎ ℎ 𝑦 1 𝜕𝑝 𝑦 ℎ ℎ 3 𝑑𝑝
𝑄 = ∫0 𝑢 . 𝑑𝑦 = ∫0 [𝑈(1 − ⁄ℎ) + 2𝜇 𝜕𝑥 (1 − ⁄ℎ)ℎ𝑦] 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑈 2 + 12𝜇𝑟 𝑑𝜃 (10)

Substituting Equation 9 and 10 to Equation 6

1 𝑑 ℎ ℎ3 𝑑𝑝 𝜕𝑒 𝜕𝑒
[𝑈 2 + 12𝜇𝑟 𝑑𝜃] = − 𝜕𝑡 cos 𝜃 + 𝑒 𝜕𝑡 sin 𝜃 (11)
𝑟 𝑑𝜃

𝑑𝑝
Then the Equation 11 is integrated with respect to θ and boundary condition 𝜃 = 𝜃𝑚 when =0
𝑑𝜃
and ℎ𝑚 = 𝛿 + 𝑒 cos 𝜃𝑚 and result
𝑑𝑝 6𝜇𝑟 2
= 𝛿2 (1+𝑛 cos 𝜃)3 [𝑛(2Ω − 𝜔)(cos 𝜃𝑚 − cos 𝜃) + 2𝑛̇ (sin 𝜃𝑚 − sin 𝜃)] (12)
𝑑𝜃

where the whirl speed, Ω = 𝑑𝜃⁄𝑑𝑡 , ratio eccentricity and radial clearance, 𝑛 = 𝑒⁄𝛿 , and its rate, 𝑛̇ =
𝑒̇⁄ .
𝛿
By assuming that 𝑛̇ = 0 and Ω =0, and considering that the relation between maximum pressure 𝜃𝑚
and n is
3𝑛
cos 𝜃𝑚 = − 2+𝑛2 (13)

The integration of Equation 12 results the general pressure function in variable 𝜃 below
6𝜇𝑟 2 𝜔 𝑛 sin 𝜃(2+𝑛 cos 𝜃)
𝑝 − 𝑝𝑜 = − 𝛿2 (2+𝑛2 ) ∙ (14)
(1+𝑛 cos 𝜃)2

which is widely known as the Sommerfeld pressure function.

where p is the pressure of the oil film at the point measured clockwise from the line of common
centres (00’).

The total load ‘P’ on the journal is given by equation

12𝜇𝑟 3 𝜔𝜋 𝑛 1
𝑃=− ∙ 2+𝑛2 ∙ √1−𝑛2 (15)
𝛿2

where L is the width of the bearing and the total force along 00’ is zero.

The total tractional couple ‘M’ necessary to rotate the journal is given by
4𝜇𝑟 3 𝜔𝐿 1+2𝑛2
𝑀= ∙ (2+𝑛2 )√1−𝑛2 (16)
𝛿

Note:
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Modul MS3202 Praktikum Fenomena Dasar Mesin

(i) When comparing the above expressions for pressures, loads a and so on, with
experimental data obtained from the small journal bearing rig, 𝜃 must be measured from
the point where the thickness of the oil film is maximum and in the counter clockwise
direction.
(ii) p - po = 0 at 𝜃 = π . i.e. p = po at 180° apart from zero.

That is on the pressure curve (head of oil/angular position), select two points of equal pressure apart.
Of these two points take as origin the point where the thickness of the oil film is greater, and measure
counter clockwise to plot the Sommerfeld pressure curve (after determining graphically the value of
‘n’ from Equation 13 and the value of ‘k’ in Equation 14, where k is
6𝜇𝑟2 𝜔
𝑘=− 2 (15)
𝛿 (2+𝑛2 )

Self-excited Vibrations

Consider Equation 12 when the whirl speed, Ω, is still considered in the equation. If the journal speed
is sufficiently increased until it can reach a stage when 𝑛̇ = 0 and Ω = 𝜔⁄2, that is the center of the
journal rotates about the center of bearing at a constant distance, e, with an angular speed of Ω =
𝜔⁄ . Then the equation is become very simple 𝑑𝑝 = 0 or p = constant. At this condition, the self
2 𝑑𝜃
excited vibrations occurred in the apparatus and the oil pressure tends to equalise rapidly.

At this condition, in the apparatus, it will be noticed that the self excited vibrations or whirl takes place
not in the journal but in the bearing and the whirl speed Ω will be nearly 𝜔⁄2, and as the whirl speed
becomes closer to 𝜔⁄2, the pressure ‘p’ will approach a constant value. The whirl speed could be
determined with the aid of a stroboscope.

4. Experimental Procedures

Before starting your apparatus, please note the initial supply head of the oil, ps, as datum. This is very
important in order to draw the pressure distribution.

After selecting the direction of rotation switch on the motor and gradually increase speed about 1500
rev/min. Let the journal run for about an hour until the oil in the bearing is warmed up. Then reduce
the speed to 1000 rev/min and allow the bearing to settle down for about 10 minutes. Add the
required loads and return the bearing to vertical. When the manometer levels have settled down take
the pressure reading on 16 manometers.

Repeat the experiment for other speeds such as 1250, 1500, 1750 rev/min. Please discuss with the
assistant regarding the speed of the journal. Operate the shaft up to speed 2000 rev/min. Then
continue increasing the speed gradually until the bearing commences to whirl. Check the whirl speed
of the bearing with a stroboscope if available and compare with the journal speed. Observe the rapid
pressure change in the manometers, tending to equalise.

In case you want to change the direction of the rotation, the motor speed should be reduced to zero
and the control box switched-off. This is important to avoid the burning out of the fuse.
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Modul MS3202 Praktikum Fenomena Dasar Mesin

5. Data collection, processing, and reporting

Plot the pressure head of oil film above static head, p – ps, (in cm oil unit) and angle of measurement
(measured clockwise commencing with vertical position marked 3) in both cartesian and radial
coordinates for various journal speeds.

Use the cartesian graph of p-ps to plot the Sommerfeld pressure. Select 2 points A and B o the
experimental pressure curve of equal pressure and 180° apart. Note that for any pressure curve there
will be only one such pair of points possible. These two pints A and B form the axis p - po = 0 for the
Sommerfeld curve.

Of these two points, take the point B which is nearest to the maximum thickness of oil film as 𝜃 = 0.
From this point, note that the direction of positive 𝜃 is opposite to the direction of 30° angular
positions of oil film. Using graphical method, determine the 𝜃𝑚 from 𝜃 = 0 in the positive direction to
the angle at which the maximum pressure is occurred. Once 𝜃𝑚 is obtained, using the maximum
pressure and Sommerfeld formula, determine ‘n’ and ‘k’.

Plot the Sommerfeld pressure curve for each speed and compare with the previous p-ps curve. Give
the analysis towards the difference occurred.

From the Sommerfeld equation obtained from the experiment, determine the average value of the oil
viscosity used during this experiment. Compare with the specification of the oil (Pertamina Mesran
Super, SAE 20W-50). Give your analysis towards the difference.

Hint:

(i) Determine the initial supply head ps as datum.

(ii) Select 2 points A and B o the experimental pressure curve of equal pressure and 180°
apart. Note that for any pressure curve there will be only one such pair of points possible.
These two pints A and B form the axis p - po = 0 for the Sommerfeld curve.
(iii) Of these two points, take the point B which is nearest to the maximum thickness of oil
film and take the axis 𝜃 = 0 to pass through this point. Note that the direction of positive
𝜃 is opposite to the direction of 30° angular positions of oil film.