A multiphase flow study for lubrication characteristics on the internal flow pattern of ball bearing

Abstract

This work proposes a general method for establishing the lubrication analysis model of ball bearing and the oil-air multiphase flow characteristics inside ball bearing is revealed by CFD. Based on the geometric feature, the micro-clearance in the chamber is introduced into the simulation model, and the complicated boundary shape of ball bearing is developed. Meanwhile, the simulation model is divided by the hexahedron elements and the mesh density near the contact region is increased, which promotes the convergence and accuracy of solution. Then, the lubrication performance experiment of ball bearing is conducted, which demonstrate that this model could capture the lubrication characteristics of ball bearing. Moreover, the evolution of hydrodynamic behavior, including the oil-air distribution, temperature and flow characteristics during different lubrication states, is displayed. The effects of structure characteristics and working condition are quantified. The results represent that the suitable clearance size could improve the internal flow patterns and hydrodynamic performance of ball bearing.