The hydrodynamic bearing is an engineering unit in which the main load falls on a thin layer of insulating flushing fluid injected into the structure using a lubricated shaft. Often the product is called hydraulic.
Modern hydrodynamic bearings are used in various precision mechanisms, especially when conventional roller or ball varieties do not meet the requirements that apply to them to ensure the operation of individual units or structures.
For example, the use of hydraulic elements allows for minimal vibration, low noise levels, while the devices have a long service life. Such types of bearings in the process of further improvements and developments are becoming increasingly competitive, since the cost of their production is constantly changing.declining.
Unlike hydrostatic products, hydrodynamic bearing has a slightly different principle of operation. If in the first case, the working pressure of the liquid is produced by means of a special pump, then in the latter case, self-lubrication is performed when the working shaft rotates. It should be noted that the self-lubrication effect itself occurs only when certain shaft rotation speeds are reached, which are indicated in the product passport.
Otherwise, the thickness of the lubricant under the shaft will be insufficient, which will lead to an increase in friction forces, and eventually cause premature wear of the mechanism. Thus, in order to avoid these situations, which often occur, for example, when starting and stopping the device, it makes sense to use a special starting pump that will be applied in the described transients.
The hydrodynamic bearing has a number of advantages. First, the products are reliable and simple in design.
Usually in their device they consist of an inner and outer ring with a toroidal shape, at the joints of the product they have hermetic seals. Thanks to its advanced design, the hydrodynamic bearing has virtually no (or minimal) operating costs. The mechanism is characterized by a long service life.
In the production of products, the requirements for the level of accuracy are much lower than in the manufacture of ball or roller types. The noise level from hydraulic devices is much lower than the soundcoming from rolling bearings. Products produce minimal vibration. Due to the design features, they have a high damping capacity.
The disadvantages of products include their high sensitivity to inaccuracies that occur in the manufacture of shafts. In addition, they have a significant loss of energy.
Hydrodynamic bearings have found application in computer devices. With their help, the hard drive works, as well as the cooling fans of the system unit. In addition, they are used in nuclear reactors, they power the elements of metalworking machines.
