The Lubrication of Lightly Loaded Cylinders in Combined Rolling, Sliding, and Normal Motion—Part I: Theory

Abstract

The problem considered in this paper is that of the lubrication of rigid cylindrical solids by an isoviscous lubricant. The steady-state problem has been studied by several authors, but the present analysis explores the effect of non-steady-state conditions arising from combined ‘normal’ and ‘entraining’ motion. It is shown that the major bearing performance characteristics can be accounted for by means of a dimensionless parameter (q) involving the ‘normal’ and ‘entraining’ velocities, the minimum film thickness and the radius of a geometrically equivalent cylinder near a plane. The results are represented graphically and by a set of convenient polynomials in (q). The influence of the cavitation boundary condition is considered and it is shown that sinusoidal ‘normal’ motion superimposed upon ‘entraining’ action can lead to a substantial increase in the nett load carrying capacity.