LIMITS OF THE REYNOLDS-EQUATION FOR NEGATIVE-PRESSURE SLIDERS

This study shows that the assumptions required to simplify the Navier- Stokes Equations to the Reynolds Equation are not valid for negative-p ressure sliders. This is caused by the large depth of a negative-press ure cavity. This finding is demonstrated theoretically and numerically . The theoretical analysis of examines the typical values of the terms in the Navier-Stokes Equation for flow in a negative-pressure cavity. The numerical analysis compares of results from the solution of both equations under a negative-pressure cavity. Experimental results are a lso presented that support this hypothesis.