A Numerical Analysis for TEHL of Eccentric-Tappet Pair Subjected to Transient Load

Abstract

A full numerical analysis is carried out to simulate the thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) of an eccentric-tappet pair. Comparisons between thermal and isothermal results are given to reveal the role of the thermal effect. Under various eccentricities, the influences of two surfaces moving in opposite directions on pressure and film thickness profiles are analyzed and explained by the mechanism of the temperature-viscosity wedge. Pressure and film thickness profiles, the temperature and velocity distributions at zero entraining velocity are discussed fully. Particular analyses are given on the entrapped immobile surface layers that influence the velocity distribution at zero entraining velocity. Furthermore, in a working cycle, variations of central and minimum film thicknesses and frictional coefficients, under different eccentricities, are discussed.