The Effect of Oil Supply on Cage and Roller Motion in a Lubricated Roller Bearing

Abstract

Experimental results indicate that oil supply can have a significant effect on cage and roller motion in a lubricated roller bearing. A theoretical analysis is presented which enables cage and roller motion, for various operating conditions, to be predicted. The theoretical results imply that reducing the oil supply to a minimum value required to maintain full hydrodynamic conditions, reduces cage slip by up to 75 percent of its fully flooded value. This conclusion is consistent with existing experimental evidence.