Title: Thermohydrodynamic lubrication model of a slipper in swashplate type axial piston machines - validation through experimental data

Authors: Toshiharu Kazama

Addresses: College of Design and Manufacturing Technology, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1, Mizumoto-cho, Muroran, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan

Abstract: A thermohydrodynamic lubrication (THL) model of hybrid (hydrostatic and hydrodynamic) thrust bearings, which is applicable to slippers of swashplate type axial piston pumps and motors, was validated by experimental results. The model consisted fundamentally of the generalised Reynolds equation, three-dimensional energy equation, and the heat conduction equation. The numerical calculation was performed in fluid film lubrication under the experimental conditions and the solutions were compared with the data. Reverse flow and oil mixing were considered in solving the energy equation. The comparison of the temperature distributions and centre clearances was made at supply pressures up to 35 MPa and rotational speeds up to 26.7 s⁻¹. The simulation showed good agreement with the experiment and the theoretical model was validated.

Keywords: tribology; fluid power systems; hydraulics; piston pumps and motors; slipper; hybrid bearings; thermohydrodynamic lubrication; THL; simulation; experiment; validation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHM.2018.094879

International Journal of Hydromechatronics, 2018 Vol.1 No.3, pp.259 - 271

Received: 05 Jun 2018
Accepted: 11 Jun 2018
Published online: 25 Sep 2018 *

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