Research on the 3D surface reconstruction method for the raceways of aeroengine ball bearings considering the macro-geometric shapes

Abstract

Aeroengine bearings operate in boundary, mixed, and elastohydrodynamic lubrication regimes, with very thin film, where lubrication performance is significantly affected by surface topography. To replace measurement methods for studying 3D surface topography, this paper addresses the issue that existing surface simulation methods are difficult to fully characterize all the detailed features of the surface, based on the inverse process of the basic principle of white light interferometry (WLI), proposes a complete 3D surface reconstruction method, which considers the macro-geometric shapes. Firstly, this method uses 2D digital filter combined with the Johnson transform system and iterative approximation method to compute a Roughness Height Lattice (RHL). Then, the macro-geometric shapes are superimposed by direct geometric mapping. Finally, the surface is fitted by cubic B-spline interpolation. Through this process, the complete surface reconstruction of key components of ball bearings, considering the macro-geometric shapes, have been achieved. Additionally, simulation analysis of the influences of the micro-rough surface scale, the macro-geometric scale, and 3D characterization parameters (CPs) on the reconstruction are conducted. This provides an effective tool for 3D lubrication research of aeroengine ball bearings, which has significant practical value.