Abstract: To analyze the thermal effect on the lubricating performance of bilayer oil bearing with ring-face contact style, the thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication model of the bearing is established. The temperature and velocity field distribution are analyzed numerically. The problem of the thermo-hydrodynamic lubrication and the mechanism of heat generation and transfer of the bilayer oil bearing are discussed. Results show that:from the bottom to the surface of the bearing, the temperature rises first and then decreases. The larger the radius, the higher the temperature will be. The maximum temperature of the system is located at the minimum film thickness of the outer ring surface in the oil film region. The heat in the bearing system is mainly produced by the oil film shear relatively. The relative circumferential velocity is the main influence factor of the heat generation, and the temperature distribution pattern is similar to the circumferential velocity. Heat is gradually transmitted to the porous bearing through convection heat transfer. With the thickness or permeability of the surface layer decreases, the convection heat transfer effect becomes worse, and the temperature in the bearing system increases. So as to enhance the influence of the thermal effect on the lubrication performance. The lubricating performance becomes worse after considering the thermal effect, but it is closer to the experimental results for the raise of the numerical accuracy.

Key words: ring-face friction pair, bilayer oil bearing, porous, thermal effect, lubrication performance