Analysis of Microelastohydrodynamic and Mixed Lubrication Effects in Gear Tooth Contacts

The paper presents results obtained using a transient analysis technique for point contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) problems based on a formulation that couples the elastic and hydrodynamic equations. Results are presented for transverse ground surfaces in elliptical point contact that show severe film thinning at the transverse limits of the contact area. This thinning is caused by transverse leakage of the lubricant from the contact in the remaining deep valley features. A comparison is also made between the point contact results on the entrainment centre line and the equivalent line contact analysis.