Study of effect of inertia forces of oil film on performance of a journal–thrust floating ring bearing using a new method

The effect of inertia forces of oil film on the performance of a journal–thrust floating ring bearing (i.e. the joint bearing) is analysed with a new method, which is the combined application of the finite element method and the complex method. In this analysis, the extended Reynolds equation considering the effect of inertia forces of the outer and inner films of the bearing is derived first and then further solved using the finite element method. Meanwhile, the complex method is employed to obtain the balance of the floating ring. The validity of the new method is demonstrated, and the significant effect of the inertia forces on the performance of the joint bearing is revealed.