The Effect of Inertia on Radial Flows—Application to Hydrostatic Seals

Abstract

A theoretical study of thin fluid film flows between rotating and stationary disks is presented. Inertia terms are included using an averaged method. It is assumed that inertia effects do not influence the shape of velocity profiles. It is shown that this assumption applies in many cases encountered in fluid film lubrication. The model is validated by comparison with experimental data and previous theoretical studies. A thermoelastohydrodynamic analysis of a hydrostatic seal is performed. The substantial influence of inertia terms on leakage rate prediction is demonstrated.