Comparison of dynamic models, cavitation procedures and numerical methods for the analysis of lubricated engine journal bearings

Gabriel W. Rodrigues, Fabiano L. Oliveira, llmar F. Santos, Marco L. Bittencourt*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to compare different dynamical models, cavitation procedures and numerical methods to simulate hydrodynamic lubricated bearings of internal combustion engines. Design/methodology/approach: Two dynamical models are considered for the main bearing of combustion engines. The first is a fluid-structure interaction multi-body dynamics coupled with lubricated bearings, where the equilibrium and Reynolds equations are solved together. The second model finds the equilibrium position of the bearing subjected to previously calculated dynamical loads. The Traditional p-? procedure and Giacopini’s model described in Giacopini et al. (2010) are adopted for cavitation purposes. The influence of the finite difference and finite element numerical methods is investigated. Findings: Simulations were carried out considering small-, mid- and large-sized engines and the dynamical models differed mainly in predicting the journal orbits. Finite element method with Giacopini’s cavitation model had improved numeric stability for the three engines. Research limitations/implications: The dynamic models do not consider the flexibility of the components of the main mechanism of combustion engines which may overestimate the oil pressure and journal orbits. Practical implications: It can help researchers and engineers to decide which combination of methods is best suited for their needs and the implications associated with each one. Social implications: The used methods may help engineers to design better and more efficient combustion engines. Originality/value: This paper helps practitioners to understand the effects of different methods on the results. Additionally, depending on the engine, one approach can be more effective than the other.
Original languageEnglish
JournalIndustrial Lubrication & Tribology
Volume74
Issue number9
Pages (from-to)1082–1091
ISSN0036-8792
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Journal bearings
  • Mass
  • Conserving
  • Model
  • Dynamics
  • FDM
  • FEM
  • Lubrication
  • Cavitation
  • Reynolds equation

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