Studies on the effect of spin motion on oil film thickness in elastohydrodynamic point contacts

Spin on the contact surfaces between two elements occurs in such diverse machine elements as angular contact ball bearings or continuously variable transmissions adapting traction drives. We experimentally and analytically studied the effect of spin on lubricating oil film thickness on angular contact ball and disk. Oil film thickness was measured under different spin angular velocities for constant rolling velocity and different contact loads using optical interference method. We clarified the effect of spin on minimum and central thickness of oil film and film shape and analyzed thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) considering spin under experimental conditions. Analytical and experimental results agreed well.