A Computationally Efficient, Generalized Warner Bearing Formulation for Dynamically Loaded Elastohydrodynamic Journal Bearings

Abstract This article describes a computationally efficient variant of a mass-conserving, mode-based elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model suitable for conformal journal bearing systems under general transient load and speed conditions. Two-dimensional surface mode shapes representing structural elasticity are coupled with a one-dimensional generalized Warner bearing (GWB) lubrication model characterized by prescribed axial pressure profiles. A set of examples shows that bearing performance trends obtained with the GWB EHL formulation agree well with a mode-based EHL formulation employing the complete Reynolds equation. Substantial computational cost savings are obtained with the GWB EHL formulation, making it an attractive choice for initial screening of bearing performance over a large design space or as a rapid means of generating large datasets for future genetic algorithm (GA) or artificial intelligence (AI) applications.