Technical Paper
A Review of Engine Bearing Analysis Methods at General Motors
1992-02-01
920489
An array of engine bearing analysis methods has been developed at General Motors over the years. All of these analyses consider wedge and squeeze effects, finite-length bearing, variation of load with crank angle, and cavitation effects. The simplest among them utilizes the so-called mobility method for solving the governing Reynolds equation. Others include finite-element solution for bearings with arbitrary geometry and grooving, finite-element solution for elastohydrodynamic lubrication, mass-conserving finite-volume solution, non-Newtonian lubricant analysis, and thermohydrodynamic analysis. This paper reviews these methods, describes when and how these methods are used, compares results and describes some applications.