Stratified three-layer lubricant flow in the gap of elastically deformable thrust bearing with increased carrying capacity

On the basis of Navier - Stokes linear equations for the case of Lame “thin layer”, a technique of generating an exact self-similar solution to the hydrodynamic calculation of the elastically deformable thrust bearing with the profile adapted to its bearing surface operating on a three-layer lubricant is presented. The effect of the parameters characterizing the adapted contour supporting the slider surface, the supporting layer deformation, viscous layer ratio, and their length, on the basic performance of the thrust bearing is evaluated. These parameter values providing a rational operation according to the carrying capacity and friction force of the relevant thrust bearing are defined. Furthermore, the optimal variation ranges of the constructive, operating, and all the functional parameters determining the bearing performance, are set. The obtained results allow creating the database for designing thrust bearings operating on the three-layer lubrication.