On the optimum groove shapes for load-carrying capacity enhancement in parallel flat surface bearings: Theory and experiment

The optimum periodic surface grooves that provide the highest load-carrying capacity (LCC) in parallel flat surface bearings are obtained using mathematical optimization methods. Results show that the optimum groove geometry is a function of the aspect ratio. For small aspect ratios the optimum grooves have an elongated “heart-like” shape and for high-aspect ratios they take on the shape of spirals. It is shown that optimally-designed grooves can provide up to 36% more LCC compared to the conventional spiral grooves. Also presented are the results of a series of experiments to authenticate the theoretical development. The experimental results show good agreement with theoretical simulations.