Pressure distribution in a six-pocket hydrostatic journal bearing

Results are presented of an investigation into the pattern of the pressure distribution in a six-pocket hydrostatic journal bearing with pockets of nonuniform depth subjected to a range of static loads and speeds. Lubricating oil was supplied at pressures up to 6.890 MN m −2 (1000 Ibf in −2). Oil film pressure measurements were made by means of a miniature pressure transducer embedded in the test shaft. The results indicated that the bearing behaved as a hybrid bearing in which the film pressures were generated by both hydrodynamic and hydrostatic effects. The pattern of the pressure distribution aided the elucidation of the performance characteristics of externally pressurized journal bearings with pockets of non-uniform depth.