Numerical analysis of conical hydrodynamic bearing lubricated with magnetorheological fluid

This paper examined the performance of a conical hydrodynamic bearing with MR lubricant by three-dimensional CFD simulations using finite element analysis. The main innovative aspect of this research is the development of a realistic model for controllable MR conical bearing at low shear rates and a magnetic field. Points such as the prediction of the plug formation zones and their detailed analysis of conical bearing considering the yield stress as a function of the magnetic field are among the key issues that were addressed in analyzing these fluids. The study’s significant focus is predicting and analyzing the plug formation zones in the conical bearing, which are difficult to detect at low shear rates. The Maxwell and Cauchy momentum equations are solved, and the Bingham–Papanastasiou constitutive equation is used to describe the properties of the MR fluid. The results of this study were validated based on the former analytical, numerical, and experimental data. The bearing's performance is evaluated based on several parameters, including eccentricity, conical angle, aspect ratio, and various yield stress types. The results indicate that despite the challenges and difficulties of using MRFs, they can enhance the bearing's performance and increase its load capacity.