Effects of couple stresses in the cyclic squeeze films of finite partial journal bearings

Based upon the microcontinuum theory, the present paper is to theoretically study the pure squeeze-film behavior of a finite partial journal bearing w ith non-Newtonian couple-stress lubricants operating under a time-dependent cyclic load. To take into account the couple stress effects resulting from the lubricant blended with various additives, the modified Reynolds equati on governing the film pressure is obtained from Stokes equations of motion. The film pressure is numerically solved by using the Conjugate Gradient Me thod. Bearing characteristics are then calculated from the nonlinear motion equation of the journal. According to the results obtained, the effects of couple stresses result in a decrease in the value of eccentricity of the j ournal center. The finite partial bearing with a couple stress fluid as the lubricant yields an increase in the minimum permissible clearance and prov ides a longer time to prevent the journal-bearing contact. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.