A Numerical Assessment of the Effect of Striated Roughness on Gas Lubrication

Abstract

Based upon the assumption that Reynolds’ equation holds in the presence of roughness, the present work establishes that the film thickness averages previously derived for incompressible lubrication with striated roughness are correct for gas lubrication as well. This result has been obtained by solving the Reynolds equation proper, for sample bearings having sinusoidal grooves in or across the direction of motion, and comparing the ensuing pressure profiles with limiting forms. The clear trend of these comparisons is strengthened by the very close correspondence between the directly computed pressure and mean or “expected” pressures obtained from modified Reynolds equations in which the average film heights found for incompressible lubrication have been used.