MEASURED PERFORMANCE OF A HIGHLY PRELOADED 3-LOBE JOURNAL BEARING .1.STATIC CHARACTERISTICS

The static characteristics of a three-lobe bearing with a preload fact or of 0.75 were studied. Operating eccentricity within the clearance s pace, cirrcumferential film thickness profiles, and temperatures were measured. In addition, circumferential pressure profiles were measured at three axial locations. Three operating speeds were tested and, for each speed, the load was varied so that the Sommerfeld number ranged from 0.23 to 2.87. Data indicated that the maximum pressure occurred c ircumferentially near the point of minimum oil film. Eccentricity meas urements were presented and verified through independent film thicknes s measurements. Detailed data was provided to facilitate analytical co mparisons.