Effects of Differential Scheme and Mesh Density on EHL Film Thickness in Point Contacts

2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchuan Liu ◽  
Q. Jane Wang ◽  
Wenzhong Wang ◽  
Yuanzhong Hu ◽  
Dong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Numerical Solution ◽  
System Approach ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Mesh Size ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mesh Density ◽  
Differential Scheme

This paper investigates the effects of differential scheme and mesh density on elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) film thickness based on a full numerical solution with a semi-system approach. The solution variation with different schemes and mesh sizes is revealed based on a set of numerical cases in a wide range of central film thickness from several hundred nanometers down to a few nanometers. It is observed that when the film is thick, the effects of differential schemes and mesh density are not significant. However, if the film becomes ultra-thin, e.g., below 10–20 nanometers, the influence of mesh density and differential schemes becomes more significant, and a proper dense mesh and differential scheme may be highly desirable. The present study also indicates that the solutions from the 1st-order backward scheme give the largest film thickness among all the solutions from different schemes at the same mesh size.

The Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Elliptical Point Contacts Operating in the Isoviscous Region

1995 ◽  
Vol 209 (4) ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
C J Hooke
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Radius Ratio ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Reasonable Estimate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness

The elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts is examined and results for the minimum film thickness are presented for a wide range of radius ratios and operating conditions. The results are compared with the predictions of the appropriate regime formulae. Although these formulae give a reasonable estimate of the contact's behaviour, the actual clearances are often substantially different, particularly close to the regime boundaries. Interpolation equations for seven values of radius ratio are given and these should be sufficient to allow the minimum clearance to be estimated for most isoviscous point contacts.

scholarly journals A thermal resistances-based approach for thermal-elastohydrodynamic calculations in point contacts

2017 ◽  
Vol 232 (11) ◽  
pp. 2088-2102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo de la Guerra Ochoa ◽  
Javier Echávarri Otero ◽  
Enrique Chacón Tanarro ◽  
Benito del Río López
Keyword(s):  
Friction Coefficient ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Good Accuracy ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Ball On Disc

This article presents a thermal resistances-based approach for solving the thermal-elastohydrodynamic lubrication problem in point contact, taking the lubricant rheology into account. The friction coefficient in the contact is estimated, along with the distribution of both film thickness and temperature. A commercial tribometer is used in order to measure the friction coefficient at a ball-on-disc point contact lubricated with a polyalphaolefin base. These data and other experimental results available in the bibliography are compared to those obtained by using the proposed methodology, and thermal effects are analysed. The new approach shows good accuracy for predicting the friction coefficient and requires less computational cost than full thermal-elastohydrodynamic simulations.

Effects of out-of-contact lubricant channeling on friction and film thickness in starved elastohydrodynamic lubrication point contacts

2016 ◽  
Vol 231 (4) ◽  
pp. 432-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Ali ◽  
Ivan Křupka ◽  
Martin Hartl
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Digital Camera ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Contact Condition ◽  
Friction Reduction ◽  
Rolling Element Bearings ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Rolling Element ◽  
Ball On Disc

This study presents experimental results on the effect of out-of-contact lubricant channeling on the tribological performance of nonconformal contacts under starved lubrication. Channeling of lubricant was carried out by adding a slider with a limited slot for scraping the displaced lubricant on one of mating surfaces (ball). Thus, the scraped lubricant is forced to flow back into the depleted track through the limited slot resulting in robust replenishment. The measurements have been conducted using optical tribometer (ball-on-disc) equipped with a digital camera and torque sensor. The effect of lubricant channeling was compared to the original contact condition by means of measuring friction and film thickness. The results show that the out-of-contact lubricant channeling leads to a significant enhancement of film thickness and friction reduction under starved conditions. Indeed, the starved elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts transformed to the fully flooded regime after introducing the flow reconditioning. Moreover, the film thickness decay over time, which is common with starved elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts, has not been observed in the case of lubricant channeling. However, the beneficial effect of lubricant channeling diminishes as the original contact condition tends to the fully flooded regime. The results of this study can be easily implemented in practical applications such as radial and thrust rolling-element bearings.

A Starved Mixed Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Model for the Prediction of Lubrication Performance, Friction and Flash Temperature With Arbitrary Entrainment Angle

2017 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Pu ◽  
Dong Zhu ◽  
Jiaxu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Flash Temperature ◽  
Machined Surface ◽  
Lubrication Performance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Starved Lubrication

In this study, a modified mixed lubrication model is developed with consideration of machined surface roughness, arbitrary entraining velocity angle, starvation, and cavitation. Model validation is executed by means of comparison between the obtained numerical results and the available starved elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) data found from some previous studies. A comprehensive analysis for the effect of inlet oil supply condition on starvation and cavitation, mixed EHL characteristics, friction and flash temperature in elliptical contacts is conducted in a wide range of operating conditions. In addition, the influence of roughness orientation on film thickness and friction is discussed under different starved lubrication conditions. Obtained results reveal that inlet starvation leads to an obvious reduction of average film thickness and an increase in interasperity cavitation area due to surface roughness, which results in significant increment of asperity contacts, friction, and flash temperature. Besides, the effect of entrainment angle on film thickness will be weakened if the two surfaces operate under starved lubrication condition. Furthermore, the results show that the transverse roughness may yield thicker EHL films and lower friction than the isotropic and longitudinal if starvation is taken into account. Therefore, the starved mixed EHL model can be considered as a useful engineering tool for industrial applications.

Theoretical and experimental studies of the oil film in lubricated point contact

1966 ◽  
Vol 291 (1427) ◽  
pp. 520-536 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Film Thickness ◽  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Previous Theory ◽  
Oil Film

A technique using Newton’s rings for mapping the oil film of lubricated point contacts is described. A theoretical value for the film thickness of such contacts in elastohydrodynamic lubrication is derived. The experimental results give the exit constriction predicted by previous theory but never shown in detail. The comparison of theoretical and experimental oil film thicknesses, which is satisfactorily accurate, gives strong evidence for a viscous surface layer some 1000Å thick. This film agrees with the known ‘lubricating power’ of the various oils tested.

Lubrication at point contacts

1961 ◽  
Vol 261 (1307) ◽  
pp. 532-550 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Hydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Single Point ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Hydrodynamic Theory ◽  
Radius Of Curvature ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Electrical Capacity ◽  
Classical Hydrodynamic

Measurements have been made of the friction, electrical resistance, and electrical capacity between rotating steel cylinders with their axes mutually at right angles. The lubricant was a plain hydrocarbon mineral oil. Nominally the surfaces come together at a single point and the apparatus is designed to ensure that this condition is maintained even if the cylinders wear. It is shown that hydrodynamic lubrication exists over a wide range of conditions. At loads of a few kilograms it persists even when the speed falls below 1 cm/s and at higher speeds (~ 100 cm/s) it is maintained even when the load becomes large enough to cause bulk plastic flow of hardened steel. Hitherto it has been considered that only boundary lubrication could occur under these extreme conditions. At very light loads classical hydrodynamic theory applies but as the load is increased a departure from classical theory occurs because the viscosity of the oil increases under the applied pressure. At heavier loads the pressures become large enough to cause appreciable elastic deformation of the surfaces and a state of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication is achieved. Under elasto-hydrodynamic conditions the film thickness can be deduced from the measure­ments of electrical capacity. A simplified theory of elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication at point contacts is developed, and the measured values of film thickness are in fairly good agreement with those derived from the theory. However, the variations of film thick­ness with viscosity, speed and radius of curvature forecast by the theory differ significantly from those obtained experimentally. The values of the film thickness range from 2 x 10 -6 cm to more than 1 x 10 -4 cm. The results, over the whole range, conform to a regular pattern and there is no evidence of any disturbing influence of the surface molecular fields, even with the thinnest films.

Roughness Amplitude Reduction Under Non-Newtonian EHL Conditions

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Chapkov ◽  
C. H. Venner ◽  
A. A. Lubrecht
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Quantitative Prediction ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Roughness Amplitude ◽  
Average Film Thickness ◽  
Ehl Contact

The influence of surface roughness on the performance of bearings and gears operating under ElastoHydrodynamic Lubrication (EHL) conditions has become increasingly important over the last decade, as the average film thickness decreased due to various influences. Surface features can reduce the minimum film thickness and thus increase the wear. They can also increase the temperature and the pressure fluctuations, which directly affects the component life. In order to describe the roughness geometry inside an EHL contact, the amplitude reduction of harmonic waviness has been studied over the last ten years. This theory currently allows a quantitative prediction of the waviness amplitude and includes the influence of wavelength and contact operating conditions. However, the model assumes a Newtonian behaviour of the lubricant. The current paper makes a first contribution to the extension of the roughness amplitude reduction for EHL point contacts including non-Newtonian effects.

Solution of the Non-Newtonian Elastohydrodynamic Problem for Circular Contacts Based on a Flow Continuity Method

1996 ◽  
Vol 210 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
C A Holt ◽  
H P Evans ◽  
R W Snidle
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Numerical Solution ◽  
Control Volume ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Theoretical Formulation ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Limiting Shear Stress ◽  
Pure Rolling ◽  
Stress Behaviour

The paper describes a numerical solution method for the point contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problem under non-Newtonian, isothermal conditions. The theoretical formulation of the non-Newtonian effect is general and may be applied to both shear thinning and limiting shear stress behaviour. The particular rheological model investigated in this work is the Eyring ‘sinh law’ relation. The numerical solution of the lubrication equations is based upon a control volume approach rather than the more usual methods that utilize a modified Reynolds equation. This new approach ensures that flow continuity is satisfied at the discretization level. Results are presented to show the effect of non-Newtonian behaviour on film thickness and pressure distribution in circular EHL contacts operating over a range of slide-roll ratios from 0 (pure rolling) to 1.5. Under conditions of pure rolling or low sliding there is found to be little effect of non-Newtonian behaviour, but at the highest degree of sliding the film thickness over the central, flattened area of the contact is reduced by up to 10 per cent at the highest rolling speed of 0.75 m/s.

Effect of Stiff Coatings on EHL Film Thickness in Point Contacts

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuchuan Liu ◽  
Q. Jane Wang ◽  
Dong Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Coating Thickness ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Thickness Variation ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Lubricant Film Thickness ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Minimum Film Thickness ◽  
Coating Material Properties

This study investigates the influences of coating material properties and coating thickness on lubricant film thickness based on a point-contact isothermal EHL model developed recently by the authors. The results present the trend of minimum film thickness variation as a function of coating thickness and elastic modulus under a wide range of working conditions. Numerical results indicates that the increase in minimum film thickness, Imax, and the corresponding optimal dimensionless coating thickness, H2, can be expressed in the following formulas: Imax=0.766M0.0248R20.0296L0.1379exp(−0.0245ln2L)H2=0.049M0.4557R2−0.1722L0.7611exp(−0.0504ln2M−0.0921ln2L) These formulas can be used to estimate the effect of a coating on EHL film thickness.

Effect of changing geometrical characteristics for different shapes of a single ridge passing through elastohydrodynamic of point contacts

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abd Alsamieh
Keyword(s):  
Film Thickness ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Reynolds Equation ◽  
Point Contact ◽  
Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication ◽  
Point Contacts ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Geometrical Characteristics ◽  
Different Shapes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the behavior of a single ridge passing through elastohydrodynamic lubrication of point contacts problem for different ridge shapes and sizes, including flat-top, triangular and cosine wave pattern to get an optimal ridge profile. Design/methodology/approach The time-dependent Reynolds’ equation is solved using Newton–Raphson technique. Several shapes of surface feature are simulated and the film thickness and pressure distribution are obtained at every time step by simultaneous solution of the Reynolds’ equation and film thickness equation, including elastic deformation. Film thickness and pressure distribution are chosen to be the criteria in the comparisons. Findings The geometrical characteristics of the ridge play an important role in the formation of lubricant film thickness profile and the pressure distribution through the contact zone. To minimize wear, friction and fatigue life, an optimal ridge profile should have smooth shape with small ridge size. Obtained results are compared with other published numerical results and show a good agreement. Originality/value The study evaluates the performance of different surface features of a single ridge with different shapes and sizes passing through elastohydrodynamic of point contact problem in relation to film thickness and pressure profile.

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