The Spatial Elastic-Hydrodynamic Problem of Lubrication of Radial Sliding Bearings

The isothermal elastic-hydrodynamic problem of lubrication of a finite-length radial plain bearing with a partial angle of coverage is considered. The bearing deformations are determined by the finite element method. The shaft deformations are determined from the solution of a plane problem of elasticity theory for a cylinder. It is shown that, under conditions of strong deformations, the minimum thickness of the lubricating layer along the angular coordinate changes significantly in the direction of the bearing axis. In this case, the thickness takes a minimum value at the ends. Families of curves are given that allow estimating the minimum thickness of the lubricating layer at the ends of the bearing after solving the plane problem.