The Isothermal Lubrication of Cylinders

When the hydrodynamic problem of cylinder lubrication is considered, two distinct types of solution emerge. For light loads the cylinders retain their unloaded geometry; the Martin solution for this condition is well known. When the contact forces are large, significant elastic deformation may occur; the resulting elastohydrodynamic regime has been extensively analyzed in recent years. Equations are now available for the calculation of minimum film thickness in the “rigid” and “elastic” situations. In this paper computing methods appropriate to each range of conditions are summarized, and the nature of the solutions is considered in some detail. In particular the valid range of application of the “rigid” and “elastic” film thickness relationships is discussed. An intermediate range of conditions between the “rigid” and “elastic” regimes is defined. Finally, a chart is presented to enable a particular problem to be located in the “rigid,” “intermediate,” or “elastic” zones. Presented as an American Society...