During the start-up period, if the journals bearing bushing and shaft materials have different heat conductivities, the thermal expansion of the shaft might be more rapid than that of the bushing. This reduces the radial clearance between the bearing components and generates higher shear stresses in the lubricating fluid, which can lead to bearing seizure, resulting in the deterioration of the journal bearing. (1) First, we present an experimental case study of the seizure of a central groove journal bearing with a carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bushing and a steel shaft; (2) Then, a static thermoelastohydrodynamic (TEHD) simulation is compared to Cristea’s experiments (Cristea, A.-F., 2012); (3) Then, a pseudo-transient TEHD simulation is performed in order to numerically predict the observed phenomena on the test rig; (4) Finally, the evolution of the oil flow rate and the bushing temperatures during the start-up period determined with the pseudo-transient TEHD modelling are compared to the experimental data of the test rig. The pressure field is determined with the thermohydrodynamic (THD) Elrod’s modelling, with Vijayaraghvan’s robust solver algorithm. The pseudo-transient temperature field in the bearing components as well as the thermal and mechanical deformations are calculated with a commercial software.

Inward pumping spiral groove seals are used in many applications, such as transmission gearboxes or electric vehicles, as they can provide zero leakage and very low operating friction. The spiral grooves are connected to the low pressure side (typically atmosphere) and pump the fluid inward that is to say toward the high pressure side (inlet). If the rotational speed is high enough, the low pressure fluid (air) completely occupies the sealing area and is used as a low friction lubricant. However, for lower operating speeds or higher fluid pressures, the seal can be lubricated by both fluids simultaneously. This occurs particularly during start-up and shutdown. In this work, a numerical simulation of the two phases in the sealing gap of an upstream pumping spiral groove seal during start-up is performed. The establishment of the film is analyzed and the effect of the rotational speed and operating pressure on the fluid composition (air and liquid) in the sealing interface is studied. For the analyzed seal, it is shown that the amount of air pumped in the sealing area is controlled by the duty parameter.