Design and Setup for a Journal Bearing Universal Test Rig

Abstract

A multi-function test rig was designed to facilitate experimental studies for journal bearing boundary lubrication behaviour improvement. The test rig components were designed and manufactured. It consisted of drive motor, drive shaft, bearing assembly, foundation, automatic control and data acquisition system. Fabrication and setup of the test rig were conducted taking into account industrial safety and risk assessment. Components have been individually tested and finally, overall test was performed, and was found to be quite satisfactory. The test rig unit is capable of being used for a wide range of journal bearing lubrication tests e.g., bearing material composition, lubricant additives, speed variation and bearing geometry study. Several test trials were conducted, with the aim of verifying that the mathematical outcomes derived were in complete accordance with the experimental results reached. Those endeavours have culminated in a guarantee that the practically assembled target test rig was in harmony with the inferred mathematical calculations on which the structuring process was primarily based.

Keywords

• hydrodynamic lubrication
• boundary lubrication
• experimental test
• journal bearing
• propulsion shafting system