Isothermal Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Point Contacts: Part 1—Theoretical Formulation

Abstract

The analysis of an isothermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) point contact was evaluated numerically. This required the simultaneous solution of the elasticity and Reynolds equations. In the elasticity analysis the contact zone is divided into equal rectangular areas and it is assumed that a uniform pressure is applied over each element. In the numerical analysis of the Reynolds’ equation a phi analysis where phi is equal to the pressure times the film thickness to the 3/2 power is used to help the relaxation process. The EHL point contact analysis is applicable for the entire range of elliptical parameters and is valid for any combination of rolling and sliding within the contact.