Paper 10: A Hydrodynamic Pocket Journal Bearing

The authors present theoretical and experimental results for a hydrodynamic pocket bearing. The bearing has a geometry similar to that of a conventional hydrostatic bearing, but no control device is incorporated in the supply line other than a non-return valve which prevents the leakage of fluid from those pockets where a pressure is generated. The load capacity of such bearings is greater than that of a circumferentially grooved hydrostatic bearing over the operating range of eccentricity tested by the authors, and is much greater than that of two short hydrodynamic bearings equal to the side sealing lands. Because of this the bearing offers a useful alternative mode of operation for a bearing (externally pressurized) which suffers a loss of its high-pressure oil supply.