STATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ROTOR-BEARING SYSTEM LUBRICATED WITH COUPLESTRESS FLUIDS

On the basis of microcontinuum theory, the main objective of this pape r is to theoretically predict the influence of the couple stress effec ts on the performance of a rotor bearing system. To account for the co uple stress effects due to the lubricants containing polar suspensions , the generalized, modified Reynolds equation is derived from the cont inuity equation and the Stokes' constitutive equations. To obtain a cl osed-form solution, the narrow bearing approximation is then considere d. According to the calculated results, the influence of couple stress effects on the characteristics of the system is apparent and not negl igible. Comparing with the Newtonian case, the couple stress effects o f fluids containing suspensions provide an enhancement in the load cap acity, as well as a reduction in the attitude angle and the friction p arameter. As a result, the couple stress effects signify an improvemen t in the bearing characteristics of the system. Copyright (C) 1996 Els evier Science Ltd.