Research on the Influence of Bidirectional Misalignment on the Lubrication Characteristics of Water-Lubricated Grooved Bearings

A lubrication model considering both misalignment and turbulence effects is established to address the issue of unclear lubrication status of water-lubricated bearings with groove structures during operation under misaligned conditions. The impact of misalignment effects on the internal fluid dynamics of the bearing is analyzed in depth, and how these effects further affect the lubrication characteristics of bearing. The hot spots where wear intensifies under misaligned conditions are revealed, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing bearing material selection, surface treatment technology, and maintenance strategies. The stiffness and damping characteristics of the water film are analyzed using the perturbation method. Through numerical simulation, the influences of rotational speed, external load, and number of grooves on key static and dynamic parameters such as water film thickness, peak water film pressure, main stiffness, and main damping of bearings under different misaligned conditions were systematically investigated. Results indicate that both unidirectional and bidirectional misalignment have varying degrees of impact on the fluid dynamics characteristics inside bearing, leading to an increase in the unevenness of water film thickness and water film pressure distribution, which in turn affects the lubrication effect and operational stability of the bearing. Under high-speed and low external load conditions, the lubrication effect is significantly improved under different misaligned conditions. However, misalignment often results in slightly higher stiffness and damping characteristics of the bearing water film compared to alignment. This study not only deepens the understanding of the lubrication characteristics of water lubricated bearings under misaligned conditions, but also provides scientific basis and practical guidance for the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of bearings in engineering practice, which is of great significance for promoting technological progress in related fields.