Analysis of maximum radial load capacity of hydrostatic journal bearing considering supply pressure limitation by a novel method

The aim of the present study is the numerical analysis of the operating conditions (rotary speed, supply pressure) and structure parameters’ (capillary design parameter, recess wrap angle) influence on the performance of a four-rectangle recessed hydrostatic journal bearing, taking into account the limitation of the recess pressure that is always smaller than supply pressure. A new calculation method is proposed that ensures both lower time consumption than traditional numerical method (FEM, FDM) and higher accuracy than simplified method (Liang’s method). This approach examines the effect of operating conditions and structure parameters on the maximum load capacity, attitude angle, and maximum eccentricity ratio considering the supply pressure limitation. Moreover, the pressure distribution under various operating conditions and structure parameters is also investigated to explore their contributions to the performance of the hydrostatic journal bearing. The results indicate an excellent guiding significance for the design and application of hydrostatic journal bearings.