An efficient semi‐analytical solution of the Reynolds equation

Abstract

A numerically efficient, semi-analytical solution of the Reynolds equation for hydrodynamic journal bearings is developed based on the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method. The pressure field is discretized along the circumferential coordinate of the lubrication gap, while an analytical formulation is used in the axial direction. A system of inhomogeneous ordinary differential equations is obtained, which is solved under consideration of the boundary conditions. The solution is verified, and its numerical efficiency is investigated in comparison to an FEM solution.