Paper 7: Load Capacity, Stiffness and Flow Characteristics of a Hydrostatically Lubricated Six-Pocket Journal Bearing Supporting a Rotating Spindle

This paper contains the results, plotted non-dimensionally, of extensive tests carried out on a 1–625-in diameter grinding machine spindle lubricated hydrostatically. The horizontal spindle is directly coupled to a variable-speed motor at one end and loaded vertically at the other. The spindle is not constrained to rotate at arbitrary eccentricity values, but is able to seek an equilibrium position depending upon oil flow and rotational speed. The attitude, oil film thickness, and eccentricity are measured by mutually, perpendicular capacitance probes arranged in the bearing housing. The results indicate considerably decreasing load-carrying capacity as the rotational speed increases, because the hydrodynamic effect tends to centralize the shaft in the bearing housing, thus nullifying the hydrostatic effect. Paradoxically the same effect causes an increase in oil film stiffness as it is generally defined. A summary of earlier work is included, notably that of Raimondi and Boyd who considered bearings of fixed eccentricity, and the paper also presents a theoretical analysis based on the pressure- and velocity-induced circumferential flow theories.