Towards a Reynolds Equation for Gas Lubricated Bearings When Contact Occurs

Abstract

The various existing forms of Reynolds equation are known to yield pressure fields which are unbounded and nonphysical when contact occurs. With a view to developing a Reynolds equation that is suitable for contact, here we revisit Taylor’s plate scraping problem for incompressible flow. This problem has an infinite pressure where the scraper contacts the plate. By suitably modifying Maxwell’s slip condition, the scraping problem can be reformulated so as to lead to finite pressures. This is shown locally via asymptotics, and globally via convergence checks. The approach looks sufficiently promising to consider the further development needed for the compressible flow present in gas lubricated bearings.