Effects of magnetic fields on the dynamic characteristics of wide parallel step slider bearings with electrically conducting fluids

By the use of electrically conducting fluids as lubricants together with the application of externally magnetic fields, the dynamic lubrication problems of parallel step slider bearings lubricated with a nonconducting fluid are extended in this paper. A closed-form solution has been derived for the magneto-hydrodynamic characteristics of wide parallel step slider bearings. Comparing with the bearing lubricated with nonconducting fluids, the magneto-hydrodynamic parallel step slider bearings signify an improvement in the load capacity, as well as the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients. A numerical example and calculated values are also provided in tables for engineers in bearing selection and designing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.