Analysis of thermal expansion effects on leakage in self-sealed journal bearings

This paper, based on a simplified model, researched the problem of liquid l ubricant leakage caused by thermal expansion effects in a self-sealed journ al bearing. The analysis indicated that mismatch between thermal expansion coefficient of oil-holding-space in bearing, sigma (T), and that of liquid lubricant, alpha (ol) is a subtle factor inducing leakage when bearing temp erature varies. Measures like properly selecting liquid lubricant and caref ully designing bearing structure could be taken to reduce the leakage by ma tching alpha (T) and alpha (oll). Several such ideas concerning bearing mat erial choosing and structure designing were presented.