The Magnetohydrodynamic Finite Step Slider Bearing

A theoretical analysis is made of the finite step slider bearing using an electrically conducting liquid metal lubricant in the presence of a magnetic field applied both tangentially and transversely to the fluid film. The electrical terminal characteristics are discussed. For the transverse field it is found that only a slight increase in pressurization can be effected on open circuit conditions and that the short circuit condition is adverse. For the tangential field the effect is adverse for both open and short circuit. By supplying electrical power from an external source, however, significant increases in load carrying capacity can be achieved for both field geometries. Various curves of normalized load versus Hartmann number and pressure contour plots are presented.