摘要

The paper presents an analysis for a hydrodynamic step bearing considering the contact-fluid interfacial limiting shear stress and interfacial slippage at either of the contact surfaces. The load-carrying capacity and the friction coefficient of the bearing are presented and respectively compared to those of a conventional bearing without interfacial slippage for the same operating conditions. It is shown that for severe operating conditions such as high bulk lubricant or interfacial temperatures and heavy loads, the load-carrying capacity of the bearing can be greatly reduced because of the interfacial limiting shear stress effect.