Influence of main design parameters of ship propeller shaft water-lubricated bearings on their properties

In recent years more and more frequently can be met ships in which propeller shaft water-lubricated polymer bearings have been applied. It results from their simplicity and associated relatively low initial and operational cost as compared with the complex classical sealed system based on oil-lubricated bearings. It is worth mentioning that the water-lubricated bearings are also environmentally friendly as no risk of pollution with lubricating oil used in classical systems, is involved. Design procedure of bearings in question based on materials made available by producers is relatively simple. However it turns out that choice of an appropriate sliding material, clearance value and optimum arrangement of lubricating grooves may greatly influence bearing’s properties. As results from the performed research investigations, bearing of the kind is a highly sensitive unit. Problems of choosing a suitable bearing clearance, designing an optimum bush geometry, selecting a proper bush material are crucial for life time of the bearing. In particular the problem is in forming hydrodynamical properties of bearing as owing to its operation in the fluid friction regime durability of bearings, the very responsible units of propulsion transmission system, can be greatly extended.