3D thermohydrodynamic analysis of a textured slider

Analysis of a 3D inlet textured slider bearing with a temperature dependent fluid is performed. Numerical simulations are carried out for a laminar and steady flow. Hot and cold lubricant mixing in the groove is modelled and examined for different operating conditions. Thermohydrodynamic performance of the bearing is analyzed for different texture lengths.Results show that texture has a stronger and positive influence on load carrying capacity when thermal effects are considered. This beneficial effect is at a maximum for the longest dimples with a length shorter than the pad length. Texture is also beneficial for the load carrying capacity when the sliding speed and inlet flow rate are varied. The load carrying capacity of the slider can be increased by up to 16% in severe operating conditions (high sliding speed).     

Shape optimum design of slider bearings using inverse method

This study aims to develop an algorithm for designing the optimum shape of slider bearing and pressure distribution using an inverse method. The proposed algorithm only needs to obtain the load and moment conditions in order to simultaneously estimate the slider bearing shape and the pressure distribution. The algorithm is developed from the Reynolds integral, and from force and moment balance equations. The least-squares error method, variational method, Gauss–Seidel method and Newton–Raphson method are employed to calculate the optimum shape of slider bearing. Simulation results reveal that as the degree of the shape polynomial function increases, there are corresponding gains in the maximum pressure, load and torque are, and a corresponding decline in the minimum film thickness. On the other hand, the lower the degree of the objective shape polynomial function is, the more accurate the estimated slider bearing shape and pressure distribution are. With increases in degree of polynomial and number of grid points, the errors in the estimated slider bearing shape and pressure distribution can be reduced. The initial guessed values of the coefficients for the estimated slider bearing shape (C_j), the position of the maximum pressure (X_m) and the outlet film thickness (H₀) have notable effects upon the estimated results for the present algorithm. Moreover, the greatest error of initial guessed value is that of C_j, followed by X_m, and then H₀. The estimated pressure distributions are more accurate than the estimated values for film thickness. Consequently, the present algorithm is capable of providing accurate results for slider bearing shape and pressure distribution.     

游隙对滚滑轴承内部载荷及应力影响的研究

滚滑轴承是一种新型轴承,可应用于风力发电机齿轮箱。根据滚动轴承基本原理和接触力学原理,建立滚滑轴承有限元模型,研究滑块与内外套圈滚道之间的游隙对滚滑轴承内部载荷及应力的影响,得到不同游隙时不同大小载荷工况下典型工作位置处滚滑轴承的内部载荷与应力分布规律。在研究中,提出滚滑轴承临界载荷的概念。研究结论可以为滚滑轴承的基础理论研究和参数优化提供参考。     

A fractional coverage model for gas–surface interaction in reciprocating sliding contacts

A model of fractional coverage in reciprocating sliding contact is developed. The sliding velocity profiles, the contact pressure distribution, the lengths of the slider or wear-track, and the periods of dwell where the slider is held stationary at the turn around locations are all variables. The model is evaluated for the condition of a constant fully reversing sliding speed with a uniform contact pressure and dwell. Plots are presented for surface area fractional coverage as a function of position illustrating the effects of individually varying vapor pressure, velocity, load, and dwell. The prediction of a steady state friction coefficient dependence on position is discussed, as well as the locations of maximum and minimum friction coefficient. The model predicts coverage to be enhanced by decreasing loads, decreasing sliding speeds, increasing gas pressures, and increasing periods of dwell.     

Optimal design of slider shape for satisfying load demands under specified operation conditions

Optimal designs of sliders are performed in this study in order to meet the desired load demands under specified operation conditions. An optimization method is developed based on conjugate gradient method in conjunction with a direct problem solver which is built to provide numerical solutions for pressure distributions within the fluid film between the slider and the moving surfaces for various geometric conditions. The desired load demands considered in this study are categorized into two kinds: (1) pressure distribution within the fluid film and (2) resultant forces plus centers of load. In this report, compressible-flow model is employed in construction of the direct problem solver. For validation, the direct problem solver is verified by the existing solutions for some special cases. Effects of the bearing numbers on the shape design are evaluated for these two kinds of load demands. Results show that the surface shape of a slider can be designed to meet the load demands under different specified operation conditions accurately by using the present optimization method.     

Static and dynamic characteristics of finite exponential film shaped slider bearings lubricated with micropolar fluid

Abstract

In this paper, the general dynamic Reynolds equation of sliding–squeezing surfaces of exponential shaped slider bearings with micropolar fluid is solved numerically for the assessment of dynamic characteristics. The two Reynolds type equations governing the steady performance and the perturbed characteristics are obtained using the perturbation technique and are solved numerically using the finite difference method. The results are compared with that of the inclined plane slider bearing. It is found that the exponential shaped slider bearing lubricated with micropolar fluids results in higher steady state film pressure, load carrying capacity and better dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics.     

Effect of Surface Roughness on Hydrodynamic Lubrication of Slider Bearings

The effect of surface roughness on the performance of hydrodynamic slider bearings is studied. A generalized form of surface roughness characterized by a stochastic random variable with non-zero mean, variance and skewness is assumed to define the bearing surface topography. Various film shapes such as: plane slider, exponential, secant and hyperbolic are considered. The results are obtained for the general lubricant film shape in integral form which are numerically computed for the shapes under consideration. The results are presented both graphically as well as in tabular form. The performance of a rough bearing can be considered in terms of an identical smooth bearing with an equivalent film thickness. It is observed, for the lubricant film shapes under consideration, that the increasing positive values of α, σ and ε decrease the load carrying capacity, frictional force and temperature rise while it increases the coefficient of friction. Increasing positive values of α and ε shift the center of pressure towards the outlet edge. For negative values of α, the increasing value reverses the trend of the effect on performance characteristics which is in conformity with the physical aspects of the problem. A similar trend is observed in case of the effect of negative values of ε. Thus, a negatively skewed surface roughness modifies the performance of the slider bearings whereas the performance of a bearing suffers on account of positively skewed surface roughness. Moreover, it is noticed that in the case of exponential and hyperbolic slider bearings the effect of increasing values of σ is more pronounced whereas in case of plane slider and secant shaped slider this effect is marginal.     

An analytical approach on the tribological behaviour of pocketed slider bearings with boundary slip including cavitation

Slider bearing performance depends on the boundary conditions at the interface between the solid surfaces and the fluid. This paper presents the combined effect of pockets and boundary slip on the load support and friction of parallel sliding systems using analytical solutions for a simple pocketed bearing. The effect of cavitation was of particular interest with respect to the inlet suction mechanism. It was demonstrated that applying boundary slip in a pocketed slider bearing gives a reduction in load support compared with the textured bearing without wall slip. Adding slip over the whole surface could retard the presence of cavitation. The influence of boundary slip is explored, and was found to significantly affect the frictional behaviour. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wear transitions and mechanisms in lubricated sliding of a molybdenum coating

Wear tests were performed for a Mo coating sliding against bearing steel specimen under boundary lubrication conditions. Results were compared with (i) hardened carbon steel sliding against bearing steel and (ii) Mo coating sliding against boron cast iron. Tests indicated that the wear resistance of the Mo coating was superior to that of the uncoated hardened steel. The initial surface topographies of the coatings were suitable to facilitate the transfer of the applied load directly onto the phases and prevented the softer phase directly involved in the wear process. The morphology of the transfer layer formed on the Mo coating was identified by X-ray diffractometry. And the layers were expected to supply an in situ lubrication effect. The wear rates of the coating against a steel slider were lower compared with those worn against a cast iron slider. With increasing applied load, the probability of the harder phases crack and fracture increased until the fraction of the unfragmented phases on the contact surfaces was no longer adequate to support the load. The dominant wear mechanisms in each wear regime were discussed.     

An analytical approach for analysis and optimisation of slider bearings with infinite width parallel textures

This paper introduces an analytical approach to study the textured surfaces in hydrodynamic lubrication regime. For this purpose, a method of integrating the Reynolds equation for slider bearings with surface discontinuities is presented. By introducing appropriate dimensionless parameters, analytical relations for various texture profiles in both indented and projected forms are delivered. These relations express the nature of mathematical dependence between textured bearing performance measures and geometrical/operational parameters. An optimisation procedure is employed to achieve the optimum texturing parameters promoting maximum load capacity, load capacity to lubricant flow rate ratio and minimum friction coefficient for asymmetric partially textured slider bearings.     

Numerical investigation of pocketed slip slider bearing with non-Newtonian lubricant

Boundary slip as well as surface texturing is an effective method to improve the tribological performance of lubricated mechanical components. This article analyzes the combined effect of single texturing (pocketing) and wall slip on pressure that strongly related to the load-carrying capacity of slider bearing. The modified Reynolds equation for lubrication with non-Newtonian power-law fluid is proposed. The equation was solved numerically using a finite difference equation obtained by means of the micro-control volume approach. Further, numerical computations for slider bearing with several power-law indexes were compared with the presence of the pocket and slip. The numerical results showed that the characteristic of non-Newtonian is similar to Newtonian fluid with respect to hydrodynamic pressure distribution. The maximum load support is achieved when the pocket depth is equal to the film thickness.     

Deformational contact and friction on viscoelastic substrates

The deformation of a rigid slider of arbitrary shape sliding smoothly over the surface of a general linear viscoelastic layer is studied. A solution of the two-dimensional problem is presented in order to calculate rigorously the contact area, deformational friction and frictional heating. For a rigid cylinder moving on a standard linear viscoelastic substrate the distinctive effects of varying the size and shape on the contact area are calculated exactly as a special case of our general solution. The results, given in terms of the slider speed and the hysteresis properties of a viscoelastic solid, agree well with the excellent qualitative prediction of Moore's theory. More importantly, the calculation concludes that all the sudden changes in the size and shape of contact, the deformational friction and heat generation correspond to the maximum loss tangent of the viscoelastic material.     

Wear durability studies of ultra-thin perfluoropolyether lubricant on magnetic hard disks

This paper presents wear and friction studies on ultra-thin (~2 nm) film of perfluoropolyether (PFPE) coated on glass substrate magnetic hard disks. The lubricant was coated on the disk by the dip-coating method and the tribological tests were carried out by sliding a 3 mm diameter glass ball slider (normal load=20 mN) on the rotating disk surface. Lube thickness and lube wear profile were measured using an ellipsometer whereas the worn disk surface was studied using a surface reflectivity analyzer. The sliding speed and the lube bonding conditions were varied during the test. From the results, it is concluded that about 80% bonding of the lube to the disk surface leads to an increase in the wear durability of the lubricant by a factor of 2 when compared to the as-lubed condition. Lube bonding has an effect on increasing the coefficient of friction. Initially, increasing sliding speed increases both friction and wear but for very high sliding speed these values tend to decrease. The glass ball surface showed wear due to asperity interactions as well as lube transfer from the disk to the glass surface.     

A numerical method for the calculation of lubricant pressures in bearings with mixed lubrication

A model for mixed lubrication, assuming that the total normal load applied to the plane of the lubricated surfaces is carried partly by the hydrodynamic action of the lubrication film and partly by asperity contacts and that the total friction force between the lubricated surfaces is partly due to viscous friction and partly to asperity contacts, was used to develop a numerical solution for pressure distribution in a bearing experiencing mixed lubrication. The geometry treated and the pressure distribution obtained were for a simple slider bearing, but the method could easily be extended to other shapes. The model is based on measured roughness of a real surface. Real load carrying capacity and drag can therefore be determined since they are related directly to bearing pressure distribution     

Hydrodynamic lubrication of rough slider bearings with couple stress fluids

The combined effects of couple stresses and surface roughness on the performance characteristics of hydrodynamic lubrication of slider bearings with various film shapes, such as plane slider, exponential, secant and hyperbolic, are studied. A stochastic random variable with non-zero mean, variance and skewness is used to mathematically model the surface roughness of the slider bearing’s. The Stokes couple stress fluid model is used to characterize the rheological behavior of the lubricant with polymer additives. The modified expressions for the bearing characteristics, namely pressure, load carrying capacity, center of pressure, frictional force are obtained for the general lubrication film shape on the basis of Stokes microcontinuum theory for couple stress fluids. Results are computed numerically for various film shapes under consideration. It is observed that, for all the lubricant film shapes under consideration, the negatively skewed surface roughness increases the load carrying capacity, frictional force and temperature rise, while it reduces the coefficient of friction. On the contrary, the reverse trend is observed for positively skewed surface roughness. Further, these effects are more pronounced for the couple stress fluids.     

Refined simulation of friction power loss in crank shaft slider bearings considering wear in the mixed lubrication regime

Friction reduction is a fundamental factor in decreasing fuel consumption of internal combustion engines. During the design stage of the engine the simulation of friction in the crank mechanism plays a vital role to develop optimum solutions. Due to the interaction of oil and elastic structures with rough surfaces in slider bearings, complex simulation models have to be used for representing the relevant physical behavior. The following article is focused on crank shaft slider bearings of large engines.The article describes a procedure evaluated by measurements showing how to model wear profiles of slider bearings to reach a high quality friction forecast. A fundamental influencing factor of bearing friction is given by the mixed lubrication regime and it is considered in the simulation model as part of asperity contact friction and hydrodynamic friction. Further effects result from the compliance in radial and width directions of the bearing structure and the wear of the bearing surface. Furthermore, the specific operating conditions of the slider bearing such as load, temperature, shaft speed and oil characteristics are essential and have to be taken into account.The objective of this investigation is to propose the wear profile of the bearing surface for the simulation model to be treated iteratively, where simulation results for the amount of mixed lubrication are successively assessed. For this purpose an iterative procedure is introduced and validated by measurements on a slider bearing test rig.The applied simulation method is based on elastic multi-body systems; the lubrication film contact is calculated based on Reynolds differential equation via the pressure balance calculated iteratively in the time domain. The model accounting for the mixed lubrication regime is based on the theory of Greenwood and Tripp.     

Coupled couple stress and surface roughness effects on elasto‐hydrodynamic contact

This paper deals with the combined effects of couple stress and surface roughness to inspect the elasto‐hydrodynamic performance of slider bearing systems. On the basis of the couple stress Stokes theory and homogenisation method, the homogenised generalised Reynolds equation including the slider bearing stationary surface deformation is derived. The total deformation include the deformation of smooth surface, taken into account by the elastic thin layer model, and the deformation of roughness corresponding to a sinusoidal normal displacement on an elastic half space of identical wavelength. The governing equations are discretised by the finite difference method, and the obtained algebraic equations are solved using the iterative overrelaxation Gauss–Seidel technique. The load‐carrying capacity and friction coefficient are presented for transverse, longitudinal and anisotropic roughness patterns for different values of the couple stress parameter in both rigid and deformable cases. The simulation results indicate that the interaction between couple stress, surface roughness and elastic deformation effects is significant. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of rough slider bearings: effects of one-sided roughness/waviness

The paper discusses some dynamic effects of a sliding train of transversely oriented undulations on a rectangular bearing. It is shown that moving roughnesses or waviness may have a strong influence on important parameters of slider bearings, such as load capacity, friction force etc. The phenomenon discussed is caused by the change in the roughness phase with respect to the bearing extremities. The pressure generation is found to be dependent on this phase variation if the wavelengths are appreciable with respect to the bearing dimensions. The effects are therefore induced by waviness rather than by roughness.     

Thrust bearing characteristics when the slider is approaching terminal speed

Numerical solutions of the differential equations of a thrust bearing are obtained for the case where the accelerating slider is approaching its terminal speed. It is found that the transient load capacity and drag asymptotically approach their steady state values corresponding to the terminal speed. However, the time-dependent drag overshoots before it reaches the final steady state value.     

Optimum shape design for surface of a thermohydrodynamic lubrication slider bearing

This paper utilises a thermohydrodynamic model of bearing to optimise the shape of slider bearing. Friction is minimised subject to load and centre of pressure requirements using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm. A generalised Reynolds equation is solved simultaneously with an energy equation using the finite volume method to obtain bearing characteristics, such as friction, load and centre of pressure. Results show that the coefficient of friction is reduced by the optimisation approach. Results also show that larger temperature–viscosity coefficient and inlet viscosity tend to yield smaller optimal friction, whereas larger thermal conductivity tends to yield larger optimal friction. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.