Abstract:
The well-known solutions for the pressure distribution in the lubricating film of a hydrodynamic journal
bearing, satisfying the Reynolds boundary conditions, show a sudden change in the pressure gradient at
the position of maximum film thickness, which is possible only if the lubricant is added precisely at this
position. Since the pressure develops smoothly because of hydrodynamic action, a correction in the
Reynolds boundary conditions is proposed and a new solution for the pressure distribution is obtained.
The steady state characteristics of a hydrodynamic journal bearing using the new boundary conditions
are compared with the well-known characteristics using the Reynolds boundary conditions.