A fatigue life prediction method of rolling bearing under elliptical contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication

In order to more accurately predict the contact fatigue life of rolling bearing, a prediction method of fatigue life of rolling bearing is proposed based on elastohydrodynamic lubrication （EHL）, the 3-paameter Weibull distribution ad fatigue strength. First,the contact stress considering elliptical EHL is obtained by mapping film pressure onto the Hertz zone. Then,the basic strength model of rolling bearing based on the 3-parameter Weibull distribution is deduced by the series connection reliability theory. Considering the effect of the type of stress, variation of shape and fuctuation of load, the mathematical models of the 尸 -tS-TV curve of the minimum life and the characteristic life for rolling bearing are established, respectively, and thus the prediction model of fatigue life of rolling bearing based on the 3-paameter Weibull distribution and fatigue strength is further deduced. Finally, the contact fatigue life obtained by the proposed method ad the latest international standard （IS0281： 2007） about the fatigue life prediction of rolling bearing are compared with those obtained by the statistical method. Results show that the proposed prediction method is effective and its relative error is smaier than that of the latest international standard （IS0281： 2007） with reliability R 〉 0. 93.

Fluid-solid Interaction Model for Hydraulic Reciprocating O-ring Seals

Elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of hydraulic reciprocating seals have significant effects on sealing and tribology performances of hydraulic actuators, especially in high parameter hydraulic systems. Only elastic deformations of hydraulic reciprocating seals were discussed, and hydrodynamic effects were neglected in many studies. The physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect did not be clearly presented in the existing fluid-solid interaction models for hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seals, and few of these models had been simultaneously validated through experiments. By exploring the physical process of the fluid-solid interaction effect of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, a numerical fluid-solid interaction model consisting of fluid lubrication, contact mechanics, asperity contact and elastic deformation analyses is constructed with an iterative procedure. With the SRV friction and wear tester, the experiments are performed to investigate the elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the O-ring seal. The regularity of the friction coefficient varying with the speed of reciprocating motion is obtained in the mixed lubrication condition. The experimental result is used to validate the fluid-solid interaction model. Based on the model, The elastohydrodynamic lubrication characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal are presented respectively in the dry friction, mixed lubrication and full film lubrication conditions, including of the contact pressure, film thickness, friction coefficient, liquid film pressure and viscous shear stress in the sealing zone. The proposed numerical fluid-solid interaction model can be effectively used to analyze the operation characteristics of the hydraulic reciprocating O-ring seal, and can also be widely used to study other hydraulic reciprocating seals.

ELASTOHYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION OF LOGARITHMIC PROFILE ROLLER CONTACTS

An account of numerical solutions to the isothermal and flooded elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)of a logarithmic profile roller,which is rolling over a flat plane,is given The analysis takes account of sideways flow of lubricant in the inlet region of the contact When the results are presented in suitable non dimensional groups,it is shown that more uniformly pressure and shape of the film distributing in axial direction is taken place under light loading As the increase of the load,the end closure is displayed and the oil pressure rises sharply at the ends The seal action formed by the end closure makes the film thickness a little And the minimum film thickness is transferred from the central to the ends and the value is reduced rapidly As the increase of the speed,the end closure becomes much serious The optimum crowning value obtained in EHL state is larger than the design value obtained in elastostatic contact state for the same working conditions In order to verify the correctness of theory,optical interferometry is applied to measure the oil film thickness between a logarithmic profiled roller and a glass plate under pure rolling conditions It is found the agreement between numerical solutions and experiments is very good.

STUDY ON THE LUBRICATION FACTOR OF INVOLUTE SPUR GEARS

Based on a lot of numerical solutions to the problems of the thermalnon-Newtonian elastohydrodynamic lubrication and some fatigue tests with rollers, the lubricationfactor of involute spur gears (called gear for short) is investigated. The results suggest that gearlubrication effects bear close relations to a dimensionless parameter D which is syntheticallydetermined by gearing rotational speed, load, material, dimension and lubricant viscosity. When D<=8, the gear fatigue life increases as the lubricant viscosity is increased; When D>8, however, thelife decreases with the viscosity addition, which is in marked contrast to the lubrication factorZ_L recommended by the International Standard for Computing Cylindrical Gear Strength. At the end, aset of formulae for calculating gear lubrication factors suitable for different working conditionsare advanced.

Oil Film Stiffness of Double Involute Gears Based on Thermal EHL Theory

Lubrication failure is one of the main failure forms of gear failure.Time varying meshing stiffness is an important factor affecting the dynamic behavior of gears.However,the influence of oil film stiffness is usually ignored in the research process.In this paper,according to the meshing characteristics of double involute gears,based on the non-Newtonian thermal EHL theory,a new calculation method of normal and tangential oil film stiffness for double involute gears is established by the idea of subsection method.The oil film stiffness difference between double involute gears and common involute gears is analyzed,and the influence of tooth waist order parameters,working conditions,and thermal effect on the oil film stiffness are studied.The results reveal that there are some differences between normal and tangential oil film stiffness between double involute gears and common involute gears,but there is little difference.Compared with the torque,rotation speed and initial viscosity of the lubricating oil,the tooth waist order parameters have less influence on the oil film stiffness.Thermal effect has a certain influence on normal and tangential oil film stiffness,which indicates that the influence of thermal effect on the oil film can not be ignored.This research proposes a calculation method of normal and tangential oil film stiffness suitable for double involute gears,which provides a theoretical basis for improving the stability of the transmission.

An intelligent method for contact fatigue reliability analysis of spur gear under EHL

To complete the contact fatigue reliability analysis of spur gear under elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL) efficiently and accurately, an intelligent method is proposed. Oil film pressure is approximated using quadratic polynomial with intercrossing term and then mapped into the Hertz contact zone. Considering the randomness of the EHL, material properties and fatigue strength correction factors, the probabilistic reliability analysis model is established using artificial neural network(ANN). Genetic algorithm(GA) is employed to search the minimum reliability index and the design point by introducing an adjusting factor in penalty function. Reliability sensitivity analysis is completed based on the advanced first order second moment(AFOSM). Numerical example shows that the established probabilistic reliability analysis model could correctly reflect the effect of EHL on contact fatigue of spur gear, and the proposed intelligent method has an excellent global search capability as well as a highly efficient computing performance compared with the traditional Monte Carlo method(MCM).

Jacobian-free Newton-Krylov subspace method with wavelet-based preconditioner for analysis of transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication problems with surface asperities

This paper presents an investigation into the effect of surface asperities on the over-rolling of bearing surfaces in transient elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL) line contact. The governing equations are discretized by the finite difference method. The resulting nonlinear system of algebraic equations is solved by the Jacobian-free Newtongeneralized minimal residual(GMRES) from the Krylov subspace method(KSM). The acceleration of the GMRES iteration is accomplished by a wavelet-based preconditioner.The profiles of the lubricant pressure and film thickness are obtained at each time step when the indented surface moves through the contact region. The prediction of pressure as a function of time provides an insight into the understanding of fatigue life of bearings.The analysis confirms the need for the time-dependent approach of EHL problems with surface asperities. This method requires less storage and yields an accurate solution with much coarser grids. It is stable, efficient, allows a larger time step, and covers a wide range of parameters of interest.

Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Studies on Effects of Crowning Value in Roller Bearings

The purpose of this paper is to present a comparison of numerical calculations and experiment results of optical interferometry in finite line contact for the elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL) problem of Lundberg's profiled cylindrical roller under the conditions of flooded state, moderate load and material parameter. It shows clearly the effects of crowning value on the variations of oil film shape and thickness. The agreement between numerical analysis and experiment results is very good. The results indicate there must be an optimum crowning value that will induce the thickest and most even oil film in EHL state for a given working condition, and this value is larger than the design value in dry contact state for the same working conditions.

Application of response surface method for contact fatigue reliability analysis of spur gear with consideration of EHL

In order to consider the effects of elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL) on contact fatigue reliability of spur gear, an accurate and efficient method that combines with response surface method(RSM) and first order second moment method(FOSM) was developed for estimating the contact fatigue reliability of spur gear under EHL. The mechanical model of contact stress analysis of spur gear under EHL was established, in which the oil film pressure was mapped into hertz contact zone. Considering the randomness of EHL, material properties and fatigue strength correction factors, the proposed method was used to analyze the contact fatigue reliability of spur gear under EHL. Compared with the results of 1.5×105 by traditional Monte-Carlo, the difference between the two failure probability results calculated by the above mentioned methods is 2.2×10-4, the relative error of the failure probability results is 26.8%, and time-consuming only accounts for 0.14% of the traditional Monte-Carlo method(MCM). Sensitivity analysis results are in very good agreement with practical cognition. Analysis results show that the proposed method is precise and efficient, and could correctly reflect the influence of EHL on contact fatigue reliability of spur gear.

Influence of Lubrication Performance on the Service Life of Rolling Mill Bearings

In order to confirm the early failure cause of a four-row cylindrical roller bearing at the backup roll position of a six-high cold sheet mill, its lubrication behavior under harsh operating conditions is investigated. Through establishing and solving the Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication （EHL） model of the roller-inner raceway contact region, the minimum oil film thickness and the real lubrication performance are achieved. The results show the bearing failures come from the poor oil film thickness in the case of high temperature and low rotational speed, which leads to contact wear. So various approaches to improve bearing life via improving lubrication are compared. It has been proved decreasing surface roughness of both contact bodies is an effective way.

A GENERALIZED REYNOLDS EQUATION BASED ON NON-NEWTONIAN FLOW IN LUBRICATION MECHANICS

A generalized Reynolds equation based on non-Newtonian flow is derived in this paper.This equation is suitable for a number of non-Newtonian flow models and can be solved numerically to obtain pressure fields in thermalhydrodynamically or elastohydrodynamically lubricated fluid films.A mathematical ap- proach is given for solving simultaneously the shearing stress,shearing rate,velocity and equivalent viscosity.To show the application of this equation,two rheological models which have been widely used in lubrication mechnaics are incorporated into this equation to obtain numerical solutions to the line contact thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication problem.

The size-dependent elastohydrodynamic lubrication contact of a coated half-plane with non-Newtonian fluid

Based on the couple-stress theory,the elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)contact is analyzed with a consideration of the size effect.The lubricant between the contact surface of a homogeneous coated half-plane and a rigid punch is supposed to be the non-Newtonian fluid.The density and viscosity of the lubricant are dependent on fluid pressure.Distributions of film thickness,in-plane stress,and fluid pressure are calculated by solving the nonlinear fluid-solid coupled equations with an iterative method.The effects of the punch radius,size parameter,coating thickness,slide/roll ratio,entraining velocity,resultant normal load,and stiffness ratio on lubricant film thickness,in-plane stress,and fluid pressure are investigated.The results demonstrate that fluid pressure and film thickness are obviously dependent on the size parameter,stiffness ratio,and coating thickness.

A new general rheological model for rheological lubrication

Limitation and deficiency of main thcoogical models at present are descrital and analyzed, and seteralgeneral rheological models are discussed and compared with each other, and basic demands for a general model aresummarized. The constitutive eqUation is proposetl for a new general theobocal model. The general medel feaaressimple structure and wide coverage, and can take the Place of many edsting thcofogical ed. The whel has suc-cessfully been used for Elastohydrodynamic lubrication calculation.

EFFECT OF FRICTIONAL FORCE ON GEARING CONTACT FATIGUE STRENGTH

The model for computing frictional coefficient between two teeth faces at the state of mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication is established. And then more than 80 sets of numerical calculations and six sets of disc fatigue tests are completed. The results show that when the film thickness ratio λ 〈1.6, frictional coefficient μ is drastically decreased as λ. rises; Thereafter it decreases smoothly until λ=4.5. When λ〉4.5, however, it goes up again with λ, which indicates that the excessive film thickness ratio will deteriorate gearing contact fatigue strength. At the end, the formulae for determining the frictional coefficients are formed.

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF ELAS－TOHYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION WITH TRANSIENT VISCOSITY

The transient vistosity response of a lubricant following the pressure charge in a EHDcontact is consideied in the line-contact isothermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication analyses. Soobtained pressure distribution and the oil film thickness are different from those obtained with equi-librium viscosity.

Liquid superlubricity of lubricants containing hydroxyl groups and their aqueous solution under rolling/sliding conditions

Macroscale rolling/sliding conditions are in the superlubricity,a little-studied topic so far.The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)films by water-based lubricants(glycerol and polyethylene glycol(PEG)),providing superlubricous friction.Experiments were carried out on an optical ball-on-disc tribometer under rolling/sliding conditions.The film thickness was measured by the thin film colorimetric interferometry,and the viscosity of liquids was measured by rotational and high-pressure falling body viscometers.The results show that tribochemical reactions are not the mandatory reason for friction to reach the superlubricity level when using the water-based lubricants.The studied liquids themselves are almost Newtonian.With the addition of water,the signs of shear thinning behavior disappear even more.Suitable conditions for this type of lubricant can be predicted using the known Hamrock–Dowson equations.An anomaly in the thickness of the lubricants was observed as an abrupt change at certain conditions.The more PEG there is in the lubricant,the higher the thickness at the beginning of the jump.

Influence of water evaporation on elastohydrodynamic lubrication with water-containing polyalkylene glycols

The reduction of frictional power losses in power transmitting gears takes a crucial role in the design of energy-and resource-efficient drivetrains.Water-containing lubricants like glycerol and polyalkylene glycols have shown great potential in achieving friction within the superlubricity regime with coefficients of friction lower than 0.01 under elastohydrodynamic lubrication.Additionally,a bio-based production of the base stocks can lead to the development of green lubricants.However,one challenge associated with the application of water-containing lubricants to gearboxes is the evaporation of water and its impact on the lubricant properties.In this study,the influence of water evaporation on elastohydrodynamic friction and film thickness was investigated for three water-containing polyalkylene glycols.Two nominal water contents of 20 wt%and 40 wt%and two viscosities were considered.The results show that the friction increases continuously with higher evaporated water content,while the overall friction level remains low in nearly water-free states.A similar trend is observed for film thickness,where the strong increase in viscosity results in a notable increase in film thickness.Nevertheless,the sensitivity of friction and film thickness to water evaporation is low for small amounts of evaporated water.This allows generous thresholds for permissible variations in water content.

Stochastic uncertain lubrication in gear transmission subjected to tribodynamic loading

A stochastic uncertain tribodynamic model is established for a spur gear pair for the first time.The stochastic uncertainty of pinion rotation speed propagated to lubrication performance is investigated.The probability density function of the minimum lubricant film thickness hmin evolves over time periodically at interval of an engagement process.Correspondence between abrupt increase in meshing force and amplification of hmin uncertainty is found.Robust and reliable lubrication performance can be achieved by suppressing the hmin uncertainty and decreasing the lubrication failure probability.This can be done by increasing lubricant viscosity,and decreasing input torque and uncertainty level of input rotation speed.This work lays a solid foundation for robust and reliability based optimization for tribodynamic gear system.

Wear protection assessment of ultralow viscosity lubricants in high-power-density engines:A novel wear prediction algorithm

Durability and reliability have been studied for decades through intensive trial-error experimentation.However,there are numerous fields of application where the costs associated with this approach are not acceptable.In lubricated machines with severe dynamic loads,such as high-power-density engines,simulation tools offer clear advantages over intensive testing.Prototypes and multiple scenarios can be cost-effectively simulated to assess different lubricants and engine configurations.The work presented here details the study of wear based on a validated elastohydrodynamic(EHD)simulation model of the connecting rod journal bearing.This model accounts for elastic deformation through a connecting rod finite element model(FEM).In addition,multiple lubricant rheological and tribological dependences,determined by specific experimental tests,are applied in the model through their interaction with the simulation software.Correspondingly,a novel wear algorithm is proposed to predict wear depth over time evolution along a proposed wear cycle based on the typical working ranges of high-performance engines.A final assessment is presented to compare 4 different ultralow-viscosity lubricants in their protective performance under severe conditions.The results show the evolution of the wear load and wear depth over the wear cycle.This evaluation is key to describing a lubricant selection procedure for high-power-density engines.

Predicting EHL film thickness parameters by machine learning approaches

Non-dimensional similarity groups and analytically solvable proximity equations can be used to estimate integral fluid film parameters of elastohydrodynamically lubricated(EHL)contacts.In this contribution,we demonstrate that machine learning(ML)and artificial intelligence(AI)approaches(support vector machines,Gaussian process regressions,and artificial neural networks)can predict relevant film parameters more efficiently and with higher accuracy and flexibility compared to sophisticated EHL simulations and analytically solvable proximity equations,respectively.For this purpose,we use data from EHL simulations based upon the full-system finite element(FE)solution and a Latin hypercube sampling.We verify that the original input data are required to train ML approaches to achieve coefficients of determination above 0.99.It is revealed that the architecture of artificial neural networks(neurons per layer and number of hidden layers)and activation functions influence the prediction accuracy.The impact of the number of training data is exemplified,and recommendations for a minimum database size are given.We ultimately demonstrate that artificial neural networks can predict the locally-resolved film thickness values over the contact domain 25-times faster than FE-based EHL simulations(R^(2) values above 0.999).We assume that this will boost the use of ML approaches to predict EHL parameters and traction losses in multibody system dynamics simulations.