Experimental study of hydrodynamic pressure distribution in oil lubricated two-axial groove journal bearing

Hydrodynamic pressures in oil lubricated two-axial groove finite journal bearing is measured experimentally using a newly developed test rig. Details of design and fabrication of the test rig is presented. Hydrodynamic oil film pressures were measured using two techniques, viz. pressure measurement with sensor mounted on shaft surface and pressure measurement with sensor located outside the bearing assembly. Pressure measurement with first approach was found to yield only the groove pressures. The maximum pressures obtained using second approach is compared with theoretical values. Maximum experimental pressures are found to have a 20% difference in comparison with theoretical maximum pressures.