Influence of eccentricity ratio on stability performance of hydrodynamic conical journal bearing

Abstract Due to growing need of conical journal bearings for combined axial and radial load application, efforts are being made to explore suitability of various shapes of hydrodynamic conical journal bearings. The combined load carrying ability of conical journal bearings appear as a better option to employ in rotary-machines and added applications. Thus, in this research work, efforts have been made to explore the stability performance of hydrodynamic conical journal bearing by finite element analysis. The bearing performance have been examined for semi-cone angle (γ = 5°, 10°, 20°) and eccentricity ratio (ε) up to 0.6 for rotor speed (v = 2.6, 5.2 m/s). Results are presented for axial and radial load capacity, stiffness and damping constants and rotor threshold speed. Load carrying capacity is improved with semicone angles and journal operating speed. Stability performance of bearing as a threshold speed ( ω ¯ t h ) decreases with increase of semi cone angle. Hence, selection of journal operating speed and semi-cone angle is significant for dynamic stability of conical journal bearing.