Water lubricated slide bearings

Water lubricated slide bearing

Bearing load F

Coefficient of friction μ

Diameter shaft D

10^-3 m

Bearing length L

10^-3 m

Diametric clearance ΔD

10^-3 m

Rotational speed n

rpm

Viscosity η

Pa·s

Density ρ

10³ kg/m³

Specific heat capacity c

10³ J/(kg·K)

Forced flow

Bearing length number L/D

PV-value

MPa·m/s

Flow number C_q

Power loss N = μ·F·2π·n/60

Side leakage Q

Frictional heating dT

The frictional heating is calculated assuming adiabatic boundary conditions for the bearing, i.e. power loss N is drained by the natural side leakage Q when submerged in water (zero value for forced flow).

The flow through the bearing can be improved by applying axial grooves in the bearing surface (forced flow by applying a pressure difference over the bearing). The groove dimensions and the pressure difference needed to obtain the intended forced flow can be calculated using the calculator for the "hydraulic diameter".