Enhanced lubricant replenishment by angled surface velocities in EHL contacts. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, X.M.; Zhou, G.Y.; Guo, F.; Wang, X.B.; Zhang, J.J.
• Is Part Of: Tribology international. Volume 145(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Angled surface velocity -- Lubricant replenishment -- Starvation -- Elastohydrodynamic lubrication; Tribology -- Periodicals; 621.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2019.106132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-679X

Abstract

Abstract: Effective lubricant replenishment to the lubrication track is highly expected for the purpose of lubricating film formation. In this paper, a novel lubricant replenishment mechanism is investigated. It is found that when velocities of the two bounding surfaces are angled, the lubricant adjacent to the track is efficiently moved back, and the inlet oil reservoir is enhanced considerably. The patterns of the inlet reservoir vary with disc revolutions, entrainment velocities, included angles of the surface velocities as well as lubricant feeding amount. The inlet lubricant supply and film formations by the grease are compared to those by its base oil, and the differences are analyzed from a perspective of lubricant transportations. Highlights: Inlet lubricant supply conditions are efficiently improved immediately the surface velocities are angled. Both EHL films of grease and base oil alone are able to be well maintained under angled surface velocities. Different evolution patters of EHL film over disc revolutions are recognized depending on running conditions and oil amount. The cross of lubricating tracks on bounding surfaces contributes to the lubricant delivery and the film formation.