INFLUENCE OF THE EJECTION EFFECT ON THE PARAMETERS AND TYPE OF GAS-HYDRODYNAMIC WATER FLOW CREATED BY ARTIFICIAL CAVITATION IN CONSTRAINED CONDITIONS

This paper presents the results of a pioneering study aimed at improving the efficiency of liquid plain bearings by using cavitation-wave technology for processing the lubricant medium. A unique technique for creating a gas-hydrodynamic flow in a specially designed model device simulating a hydrodynamic groove of a thrust plain bearing is described. This model made it possible to study in detail the processes occurring in the bearing under the influence of cavitation. During the experiments, important patterns were established characterizing changes in the structure of gas-liquid flows, the distribution of static pressure (vacuum) along the channel, lubricant consumption, and the intensity of sound vibrations. The influence of such parameters as input pressure, ballast liquid consumption, and air supply to the system was studied. The analysis made it possible to determine the optimal values of these parameters to achieve the best characteristics of the lubricant layer. The results showed that there is a certain level of input pressure, ballast liquid and air consumption that is optimal for this design, at which the static pressure of the gasliquid medium in the model device channel is distributed most evenly along the length, and sound vibrations reflecting the erosive effect of cavitation reach minimum values. An important observation was the effect of no decrease in liquid consumption when cavitation occurs and ballast water and air are introduced. This opens up prospects for using artificial cavitation and water as a lubricant to improve the performance of liquid plain bearings, which can surpass traditional lubrication methods and materials. The data obtained are the basis for further research in the field of developing bearings with improved characteristics.