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Abstract

An elastohydrodynamic lubrication model is proposed for line contacts under pressurized ambient conditions often encountered in hydraulic pumps, submarine machinery and many other submerged systems. It has been demonstrated that the film forming behavior under such conditions is essentially different from that in conventional elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts. The numerical simulation results are regressed to develop new central and minimum film thickness equations for Newtonian fluids as functions of ambient pressure, speed, load, and material parameters. An alternative approach is also discussed which involves the use of existing film thickness formulas with ambient viscosity and pressure–viscosity coefficient pertaining to the desired pressure range. A film thickness enhancement of more than 100% over conventional elastohydrodynamic lubrication case is observed. This enhancement is shown to be highly sensitive to the pressure–viscosity coefficient. Besides, the effect of shear-thinning behavior is also investigated and it is found to lower the film thickness enhancement, especially at high ambient pressures.

Keywords

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication ambient pressure film thickness shear-thinning

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New equations for enhanced film thickness in line contacts under pressurized ambient conditions

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