A Generalized Integral Numerical Solution Method for Lubrication Problems

Abstract

A generalized numerical method for solving Reynolds equation of lubrication is developed. The method is general for the Reynolds equation in its one and two dimensional forms. The present numerical technique is based on converting the differential form of Reynolds equation to an integral form and using there with a universal singular solution of a unit source Poisson’s type equation. A fast efficient iterative numerical scheme is then employed for solving the integral equation for the pressure distribution. The paper is divided into two parts, the first is devoted to the method development while the second part is confined to the application of the method to different problems related to bearings.