Pressure and Shear Flow in a Rough Hydrodynamic Bearing, Flow Factor Calculation

Abstract

The lubrication of isotropic rough surfaces has been studied numerically, and the flow factors given in the so-called Average Flow Model have been calculated. Both pressure flow and shear flow are considered. The flow factors are calculated from a small hearing part, and it is shown that the flow in the interior of this subarea is nearly unaffected by the bearing part’s boundary conditions. The surface roughness is generated numerically, and the Reynolds equation is solved by the finite element method. The method used for calculating the flow factors can be used for different roughness patterns.