PERTURBATION APPROACH TO HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION THEORY

Three perturbation approaches that apply for regular hydrodynamic lubr ication problems are discussed: a cross-film coordinate perturbation, an iterative scheme, and a regular perturbation in terms of the film a spect ratio. The methods are used to derive higher order terms for a d riven corner flow with a Newtonian lubricant of constant properties. R easons for preferring the regular perturbation scheme are presented an d this method is used to obtain the correct curvature correction in an infinitely long journal bearing. Criteria for identifying singular ge ometries in hydrodynamic lubrication are set fourth.