Multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method of hydrodynamic lubrication in lemon-bore bearing

The lattice Boltzmann method has superiority over conventional computational fluid dynamics methods, particularly for the flow simulations in complex geometries. In the present work, the performance of hydrodynamic lemon-bore (elliptical) journal bearings was investigated with the implementation of the lattice Boltzmann method. The steady-state laminar flow of a homogeneous oil was considered in the computations. A linear interpolation method was exploited to obtain the surface curvatures. The comparison of the results obtained from the proposed methodology with available literature data showed a satisfactory agreement. The effect of geometrical parameters on the hydrodynamic lubrication in an elliptical journal bearing was analyzed. It was found that the ellipticity ratio has profound effects on the bearing load capacity, oil flow rate and bearing power loss.