Three-Dimensional Thermal Field in Slider Bearings

A three dimensional thermohydrodynamic lubrication model which couples the Reynolds and energy equations is developed. The model uses the streamline upwind Petrov-Galerkin (SUPG) method to solve the non-symmetric stiffness matrix that results from the convective-dominated flow. Model results indicate that the peak temperature is not on the mid-plane surface, a fact that cannot be predicted with two dimensional models. This position shifts towards the mid-plane as the width to length ratio is reduced from ten to one (square slider) as well as when pressure boundary conditions are altered in such a way that the inlet/outlet pressure is higher than the side pressure. The square slider has a peak temperature 4°K less than the wider slider. This is due to the higher side flow in the square slider.