Abstract: The temperature model and heat transfer model among inner-film-floating-ring-outer -film of floating ring bearing were established, in which the temperature gradient of the floating ring was taken into consideration. The effect of the temperature gradient on the lubrication performance of the floating ring bearing was discussed. Results show that, taking the radial temperature gradient of the floating ring into consideration, the inner-film temperature increases, the overall frictional power loss and end discharging capacity slightly decrease. With outer eccentricity ratio of 0.4, when the inner film clearance increases from 0.02mm to 0.04 mm, the inner film temperature and total power loss are decreased by 16.0% and 15.9%, respectively. The total power loss increases with the inner circle radius. The lubrication performance of the floating ring bearing can be improved remarkably by appropriately decreasing the inner circle width.

Key words: mechanical parts, mechanical design, radial temperature gradient, heat transfer, structural parameters, inner film temperature, lubrication