A Contribution to the Analysis of the Thermo-Hydrodynamic Lubrication of Porous Self-Lubricating Journal Bearings

In this work the influence of thermal effects on the performance of a finite porous journal bearing has been investigated using a thermo-hydrodynamic analysis. The Reynolds equation of thin viscous films is modified taking into account the oil leakage into the porous matrix, by applying Darcy’s law to determine the fluid flow in the porous media. The governing equations were solved numerically using the finite difference approach. Obtained result show a reduction in the performance of journal bearings when the thermal effects are accounted for and, this reduction is greater when the load capacity is significant.