THERMAL EFFECT IN HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION OF LINE CONTACTS - PIEZOVISCOUS EFFECT NEGLECTED

Thermal effect in high-speed rolling element bearings has been investi gated numerically following a computationally efficient method develop ed by Elrod and Brewe [11]. Viscous shear heating effects on both film thickness and rolling friction are investigated for a line-contact ge ometry assuming fully flooded lubrication. Thermal load-carrying capac ity and rolling friction of the line contact have been numerically cal culated for varying rolling speeds from 5 to 40 m/s and dimensionless him thickness between 10(-4) and 10(-3). Results indicate marked influ ence of viscous shear healing on the load-carrying capacity, film thic kness and rolling traction at high rolling speeds. Neglecting thermal effect at high rolling speeds would lead to gross overestimation of lo ad capacity, film thickness and traction. Results are presented for pr essure and temperature distribution within the contact for various rol ling speeds and film thicknesses. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd.