Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication—Improvements in Analytic Solutions

The paper develops a statement of film shape within an elastohydrodynamic conjunction and shows that the Grubin (parallel conjunction, high elastic modulus) and the Baglin and Archard (tilting pad conjunction, low elastic modulus) models are its asymptotes. A film thickness equation is presented for low values of the parameter N 3 = αE′(η 0 / E′R ) 1/4 . The relationship between inlet pressure and maximum Hertzian pressure p 0 is explored and it is shown that /p 0 is primarily a function of N 3 . Evaluation of the modified inlet condition, = (1/α)(1 − e −α ), allows a limit to be placed on the validity of the Grubin model and provides a phy