On the Load Capacity of the MHD Journal Bearing

An analysis and experimental results are presented for a magnetohydrodynamic partial journal bearing using a liquid metal lubricant. An external magnetic field is applied axially along the journal, and current is permitted to flow between the journal and bearing. The analysis shows that increased load capacity can be achieved by supplying current from an external source. In addition, the analysis reveals the existence of an optimum Hartmann number at which the load capacity peaks for a given applied current. This optimum value is about 5 for a dimensionless current I¯ = −5 applied to a bearing with a width/diameter ratio of 1 and an eccentricity ratio of 0.6. Experimental results which demonstrate the increase in load capacity resulting from an externally applied current are presented graphically and compared with the theory.