scholarly journals Accuracy and Grid Convergence of the Numerical Solution of the Energy Equation in Fluid Film Lubrication: Application to the 1D Slider

Lubricants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Silun Zhang ◽  
Mohamed-Amine Hassini ◽  
Mihai Arghir

The present work is focused on the numerical solution of the complete energy equation used in fluid film lubrication. The work was motivated by the fact that the complete energy equation has no analytical solution that can be used for validations. Its accuracy and computation time are related to the employed numerical method and to the grid resolution. The natural discretization method (NDM) applied on different grids is systematically compared with the spectral method (the Lobatto Point Colocation Method or LPCM) with different polynomial degrees. A one dimensional inclined slider is used for the numerical tests, and the energy equation is artificially decoupled from the Reynolds equation. This approach enables us to focus all the attention on the numerical solution of the energy equation. The results show that the LPCM is one or two orders of magnitude more efficient than the NDM in terms of computation time. The energy equation is then coupled with the Reynolds equation in a thermo-hydrodynamic analysis of the same 1D slider; the numerical results confirm again the efficiency of the LPCM. A thermo-hydrodynamic analysis of a two-lobe journal bearing is then presented as a practical application.

Author(s):  
Silun Zhang ◽  
Mohamed-Amine Hassini ◽  
Mihai Arghir

The present work is focused on the numerical solution of the complete energy equation used in fluid film lubrication. The work was motivated by the fact the complete energy equation has no analytic solution that could be used for validations. Its accuracy and computation time are related to the employed numerical method and to the grid resolution. The natural discretization method (NDM) applied on different grids is systematically compared with the spectral method (the Lobatto Point Colocation Method or LPCM) with different polynomial degrees. A one dimensional inclined slider is used for the numerical tests and the energy equation is artificially decoupled from Reynolds. This approach enables to focus all the attention on the numerical solution of the energy equation. The results show that the LPCM is one or two orders of magnitudes more efficient than the NDM in terms of computation time. The energy equation is then coupled with Reynolds equation in a thermo-hydrodynamic analysis of the same 1D slider; the numerical results confirm again the efficiency of the LPCM. A thermo-hydrodynamic analysis of a two-lobe journal bearing is then presented as a practical application.


The energy equation for fluid-film lubrication is developed in such a way as to resolve the discrepancy that now exists in the literature because of the fact that two obviously different energy equations have been used. A qualitative estimate of the error introduced by the use of the incorrect equation is given.


1973 ◽  
Vol 95 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Seireg ◽  
H. Ezzat

The classical hydrodynamic theory of fluid film lubrication as described by Reynolds’ equation assumes isothermal conditions in the film. Such conditions may never exist in many engineering applications. A common practice is to calculate bearing performance with isothermal conditions at an average film temperature. This paper presents results on the load-carrying capacity of the film when thermal homogeneity does not exist. An empirical procedure is proposed for the prediction of the thermohydrodynamic behavior of the film. A hysteresis-type phenomenon in the pressure-temperature relationship is also observed.


Author(s):  
Luca Bertocchi ◽  
Matteo Giacopini ◽  
Antonio Strozzi ◽  
Mark T. Fowell ◽  
Daniele Dini

A mass-conserving formulation of the Reynolds equation has been recently developed using the concept of complementarity [1]. The mathematical derivation of the Linear Complementarity Problem (LCP) implemented in the solver favoured in [1] overcomes the drawbacks previously associated with the use of such complementarity formulations for the solution of cavitation problems in which reformation of the liquid film occurs. In the present paper, the proposed methodology, already successfully applied to solve textured bearing and squeeze problems in the presence of cavitation in a one dimensional domain and for incompressible fluids [1], has been extend to a two dimensional domain and the fluid compressibility has been included in the formulation. The evolution of the cavitated region and the contact pressure distribution are studied for a number of different configurations. Some of the results obtained with the proposed scheme are critically analysed and compared with the predictions obtained using alternative formulations (including full CFD calculations). The stability of the proposed algorithm and its flexibility in terms of the implementation of different compressibility laws is highlighted.


Author(s):  
T. Lloyd ◽  
H. McCallion

Developments in high-speed electronic computers have greatly influenced the progress in fluid film lubrication over the past ten years. Static and dynamic oil film parameters have been computed for a wide range of finite geometries, for hydrostatic and hydrodynamic bearings lubricated by compressible and incompressible lubricants. These are either sufficient in themselves or else act as a yardstick against which approximate formulas may be tested. Much use has been made of iterative finite difference schemes, which are particularly well suited to digital computers, and these methods are now more fully understood. Other methods of solution include direct inversion of finite difference matrices and solution by expression of the pressure by some infinite series, a finite number of terms of which give adequate representation. Besides the increase in design data available, there has been substantial progress through a re-examination of the effects of modifying some of the assumptions inherent in most of the available solutions of the Reynolds equation. These include the assumption of constant lubricant viscosity, of rigid surfaces and of laminar flow. Major progress has been witnessed in two fields. The interaction of the lubricant film with elastic boundaries has been shown to be of prime importance in highly loaded contacts such as gears. This has led to the development of the special topic of elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory. The applicability of gas bearings in such growing industries as computers, space vehicles and nuclear reactors has resulted in great activity and progress in this field.


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