Steady State Analysis with Thermal Effects of worn spherical bearing operating in turbulent regime with non-newtonian lubricants

In this paper, the analysis of the performance of a spherical bearing, with three-dimensional worn zones, operating with Non-Newtonian lubricant in a turbulent regime will be presented. A two dimensional flow field is considered and the Constantinescu’s turbulence model is adopted, using the coefficients suggested by Lin, and assuming an almost parallel, inertialess, flow. The effects of Non-Newtonian behavior have been included in the steady state equation, by means of the N and Λ parameters. Numerical simulation has required a central finite difference scheme. Both the obtained hydrodynamic and overall pressure fields (the latter including the hydrostatic component) are presented for different values of the Reynolds number, the maximum wear depth, and the coupling number.