Stability of water-lubricated three-lobe journals mated with plain bearings at zero load

Tests were conducted with plain bearings running with three types of three-lobe journals. The bearings, with a nominal 3.8-centimeter (1.5-in.) diameter and L/D of 1, were tested at 300 K (80 F) under stable conditions to 5400 rpm. The lobed configurations tested, in order of diminishing stability, were a tilted-lobe journal with grooves, a tilted-lobe journal without grooves, and a centrally lobed journal without grooves. A previously tested three-tilted-lobe bearing with grooves, running with a plain journal, was somewhat more stable than the tilted-lobe or centrally lobed journals.