The effect of varying the eccentricity on the appearance of Taylor vortices has been investigated in the flow between a stationary bearing and an eccentric rotating journal with small clearance ratio.
Experiments have been carried out by means of visual observation of flow pattern simultaneously with torque measurement of bearing. All paint pigment has been suspended about 100ppm in fluid for visual observation.
Local concept has been proposed theoretically for the flow stability analysis in the journal bearing.
For concentric case the critical speed predicted by visual observation has been good agreement with that done by torque measurement.
Critical speeds predicted by torque measurement have been in nearly agreement with those of theoretical results at θ=90˚ and rised with the eccentricity ratio.
The increase of load capacity has occured as speed has been increased beyond the critical value.
