A hydrodynamic flow analysis for optimal positioning of surface textures

Abstract

The current study uses Reynolds equation and the cross-film flow velocity profile to analytically determine pertinent locations for texture feature positioning in sliding hydrodynamic contacts. The position of textures is shown to have a significant effect on the lubricant film thickness, thus the load carrying capacity and generated friction and power loss. It is shown that textures, residing after the inlet lubricant recirculation boundary and prior to the position of maximum contact pressure enhance film thickness and reduce friction in the contact of real rough sliding surfaces. The methodology is applied to partial surface texturing of a thin compression ring of a high performance race engine, with the predicted results confirming the utility of the expounded analytical technique and its conformance to the findings of others reported in literature. The time–efficient analytical and fundamental approach constitutes the main contribution of the paper to furtherance of knowledge.