Effect of the ER lubricant behaviour on the performance of spherical recessed hydrostatic thrust bearing

Abstract The research work undertaken in this article addresses the use of electro-rheological (ER) lubricant for controlling the performance of spherical thrust bearing system. In the present work numerical investigation of a circular recessed spherical thrust bearing system with a capillary restrictor lubricated with ER lubricant has been described. The governing Reynolds equation for spherical thrust bearing has been solved by FEM technique. The influence of axial eccentricity ratio and various value of imposed electric field on the bearing performance has been investigated. The findings of study indicates that a bearing operating with negative axial eccentricity provides improved performance with ER lubricant. A designer can harness this effect by using a fitted type of spherical thrust bearing system.