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Chapter: Mechanical : Design of Machine Elements : Design of Shafts and Couplings

Classification of Sliding Contact Bearings

1 Depending upon the direction of load to be supported. 2. Types of Sliding Contact Bearings,


Sliding Contact Bearings

 

A bearing is a machine element which support another moving machine element (known as journal). It permits a relative motion between the contact surfaces of the members, while carrying the load. A little consideration will show that due to the relative motion between the contact surfaces, a certain amount of power is wasted in overcoming frictional resistance and if the rubbing surfaces are in direct contact, there will be rapid wear. In order to reduce frictional resistance and wear and in some cases to carry away the heat generated, a layer of fluid (known as lubricant) may be provided. The lubricant used to separate the journal and bearing is usually a mineral oil refined from petroleum, but vegetable oils, silicon oils, greases etc., may be used.

 

Classification of Bearings

 

Though the bearings may be classified in many ways, yet the following are important from the subject point of View:

 


1 Depending upon the direction of load to be supported.

 

The bearings under this group are classified as:

Radial bearings, and

Thrust bearings.

In radial bearings, the load acts perpendicular to the direction of motion of the moving element as shown in Fig (a) and (b). In thrust bearings, the load acts along the axis of rotation as shown in Fig (c).


 

1.2 Depending upon the nature of contact. The bearings under this group are classified as:

Sliding contact bearings, and

Rolling contact bearings.

 

In sliding contact bearings, as shown in Fig (a), the sliding takes place along the surfaces of contact between the moving element and the fixed element. The sliding contact bearings are also known as plain bearings.

 

In rolling contact bearings, as shown in Fig (b), the steel balls or rollers, are interposed between the moving and fixed elements. The balls offer rolling friction at two points for each ball or roller.


 

 

 

2 Types of Sliding Contact Bearings

 

The sliding contact bearings in which the sliding action is guided in a straight line and carrying radial loads, as shown in Fig (a), may be called slipper or guide bearings. Such type of bearings are usually found in cross-head of steam engines. The sliding contact bearings in which the sliding action is along the circumference of a circle or an arc of a circle and carrying radial loads are known as journal or sleeve bearings. When the angle of contact of the bearing with the journal is 360° as shown in Fig (a), then the bearing is called a full journal bearing. This type of bearing is commonly used in industrial machinery to accommodate bearing loads in any radial direction.

 

When the angle of contact of the bearing with the journal is 120°, as shown in Fig (b), then the bearing is said to be partial journal bearing. This type of bearing has less friction than full journal bearing, but it can be used only where the load is always in one direction. The most common application of the partial journal bearings is found in rail road car axles. The full and partial journal bearings may be called as clearance bearings because the diameter of the journal is less than that of bearing.

 

When a partial journal bearing has no clearance i.e. the diameters of the journal and bearing are equal, then the bearing is called a fitted bearing, as shown in Fig (c). The sliding contact bearings, according to the thickness of layer of the lubricant between the bearing and the journal, may also be classified as follows:

 

Thick film bearings. The thick film bearings are those in which the working surfaces are completely separated from each other by the lubricant. Such type of bearings are also called as hydrodynamic lubricated bearings.

 

Thin film bearings. The thin film bearings are those in which, although lubricant is present, the working surfaces partially contact each other atleast part of the time. Such type of bearings are also called boundary lubricated bearings.

 

Zero film bearings. The zero film bearings are those which operate without any lubricant present.

 

Hydrostatic or externally pressurized lubricated bearings. The hydrostatic bearings are those which can support steady loads without any relative motion between the journal and the bearing. This is achieved by forcing externally pressurized lubricant between the members.

 

 


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