Film thickness predictions for elastohydrodynamic elliptical contacts overa wide range of radius ratios with consideration of side starvation

The paper presents numerical solutions obtained for a wide range of ellipti cal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problems. The conditions considere d encompass relative principal radii of curvature ratios from 20:1 with ent rainment in the minor axis direction, to 50:1 with entrainment in the major axis direction. The problems considered den ive from investigations of pra ctical machine elements where the width of contact (perpendicular to entrai nment) is limited by the extent of the metal surfaces on either side. Two s ets of results have been obtained: one with the width of the lubricated con tact approximately twice that of the Hertzian dry contact, and the other wh ere the ratio of these widths is 1.2. Taken as a whole the results present a complete range of conditions obtained using the same numerical model thro ughout. The film thickness predictions are compared with those given by wel l-known published formulae and design charts.