Viscosity and density models for aerated oil in fluid-film bearings

Analytical, models are derived for the viscosity and the density of aerated oil in fluid-film bearings. The models account for the effects of fluid-fi lm pressure, fluid-film geometry oil aeration rate and bubble surface tensi on. The viscosity model confirms experimental evidence thar the viscosity o f aerated oil can be significantly higher than for non-aerated oil. The new models can be used with Reynolds' equation to predict the behavior of flui d-film bearings lubricated by aerated oil.