Bearings and Lubrication

MARINE ENGINEER INDUCTION
COURSE
BEARINGS and HYDRODYNAMIC
LUBRICATION
BEARINGS and
HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION
In this presentation you will be introduced the
theory of hydrodynamic lubrication and
construction of shell type bearings
At the end of the presentation it is expected
that you will be able to:-
 Understand how hydrodynamic lubrication
works.
 Illustrate that knowledge with the aid of simple
sketches.
BEARINGS and
 Bearings and other similarly loaded machine
and engine parts must operate with mechanical
clearances.
 A lubricant in the clearance space, between the
moving surfaces will prevent metal to metal
contact, thus reducing friction, which would
cause loss of power, overheating or mechanical
seizure.
BEARINGS and
 If two surfaces rub against each other, the
friction between them generates heat.
Localised welding occurs on the high spots, the
surfaces break apart and wear occurs.
BEARINGS and
 When oil is introduced between the two
surfaces, friction is reduced, allowing the
surfaces to slide more easily. The oil also
carries away the heat generated by the friction
BEARINGS and
 However, some contact between the surfaces
does occur and the material is worn away.
BEARINGS and
 This type of lubrication is known as
BOUNDARY lubrication.
BEARINGS and
 The most common form of bearing requiring
lubrication is the journal bearing.
 A journal bearing is of the type used to locate
and support a rotating shaft.
BEARINGS and
 The clearance in the bearing is shown much
exaggerated, so the effects of hydrodynamic
lubrication can be demonstrated.
BEARINGS and
 At rest the shaft, sits on the bottom of the
bearing.
BEARINGS and
 As the journal starts to rotate, it is only
lubricated by a thin oil film. I.e. boundary
lubrication is taking place.
BEARINGS and
 As the journal or shaft increases in speed, the
oil is dragged around by the friction of the shaft
against the oil.
BEARINGS and
 Because the space it is being squeezed into, at
the bottom of the bearing is smaller in volume
than the top and the side of the bearing…..
BEARINGS and
 …..The pressure of the oil at the bottom of the
bearing rises, forcing the shaft upwards, so that
it rotates on a cushion of oil.
BEARINGS and
 There is no contact between the shaft and the
bearing, and therefore, theoretically, no wear.
BEARINGS and
 This phenomenon is known as
HYDRODYNAMIC or FLUID FILM lubrication.
BEARINGS and
 With a properly lubricated bearing, using clean
oil at the correct temperature, the only wear
takes place during start up and stopping.
BEARINGS and
 Damage can be caused by impurities in the oil,
erosion and corrosion.
BEARINGS and
 A bearing material must be hard and wear
resistant, tough, ductile and shock resistant.
 Although phosphor bronze, and other alloys of
copper can be used as bearing materials, the
most usual material is white metal which is an
alloy of tin and antimony (or tin, lead and
antimony in the case of cheaper bearings)
 Bearings for high loads can be made from an
alloy of tin and aluminium.
BEARINGS and
 Modern bearings are of the thin wall type and
consist of a steel shell backing with the bearing
material bonded on to them.
BEARINGS and
 This shows the make up of a modern thin wall
shell bearing.
BEARINGS and
 The tin flash is to protect the bearing from
oxidisation while in storage.
BEARINGS and
 The tin antimony is the white metal bearing
material.
BEARINGS and
 The nickel is there as a bonding material
between the white metal and the copper lead.
BEARINGS and
 The copper lead alloy is ductile and allows
deformation under load.
BEARINGS and
 The steel shell gives strength and holds the
bearing in shape.
BEARINGS and
 It is the friction between the steel shell and the
bearing housing which stops the shell rotating.
BEARINGS and
 TO SUM UP:
 Friction between two moving surfaces causes
heat and wear.
 Oil reduces the friction, and carries away any
heat generated.
 There are two types of lubrication; boundary
and hydrodynamic (fluid film)
 Journal bearings can be of cast white metal,
bronze, or a similar material, but a lot of
modern bearings are of the thin shell type.
Lubrication Systems

Bearings and Lubrication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bearings and Lubrication

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Bearings and Lubrication

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

MARINE ENGINEER INDUCTION

You might also like