Stability analysis of hydrodynamic bearing with herringbone grooved sleeve

This study presents a numerical method to investigate the stability analysis of a hydrodynamic journal micro-bearing. The governing dimensionless Reynolds equation is solved by using the finite difference method. The Green's theorem is utilized to deal with the discontinuity of the oil-film thickness, and the Gaussian elimination method is used to solve the simultaneous discrete equations. Optimal values for various design parameters are obtained to maximize the load capacity and to improve the stability characteristics. The accomplishments of this study will help the designers who deal with the grooved micro-bearing to select the design parameters to satisfy the required characteristics. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.