Experimental evidence of cavitational effects in a Rayleigh step slider

Abstract

The objective of this article is the study of the load-carrying capacity of a Rayleigh step slider (RSS) for both direct motion (þRSS -which generates lifting effects) and reverse motion (ÀRSS -which generates suction or cavitational effects). Normal force was measured on a pinon-disc test rig, with two lubricants (SAE-20 W-50 oil and glycerin) at four speeds and three values of film thickness. During reverse motion (ÀRSS), cavitational effects have been observed for some test cases. It is supposed that surface tension influences the appearance of cavitational effects, and a modified capillary number, Ca þ , is proposed as indicator of cavitation inception. Close-up views taken near the trailing edge of the pin show the occurrence of several streamers, typical for cavitational effects, only when Ca þ 4 2. Numerical simulation as well as approximate analytical models are presented for both directions of motion. The comparison of predicted theoretical results with the experimental data is satisfactory.

On the study of Rayleigh step slider bearings lubricated with non-Newtonian Rabinowitsch fluid

“…Tello (2003) has theoretically studied the regularity of the solution to the Reynolds equation in Rayleigh step-type bearings for both compressible and incompressible fluids by using a rigorous mathematical approach. Pascovici et al (2011) presented an experimental evidence of cavitations' effects in a Rayleigh step slider, and Venkateswarlu and Rodkiewicz (1981) discussed the thrust bearing characteristics considering the terminal speed of the slider. The performance of hydrodynamic slider bearings for non-Newtonian lubricants analysed by Williams and Symmons (1987), and an experimental comparison of the slider bearing performance for different shapes was presented by Sharma and Pandey (2009).…”

Dynamic Performance Characteristics of a Curved Slider Bearing Operating with Ferrofluids

“…The study of performance characteristics of slider bearings with different shape and different lubricants has been done from time to time by the researchers. Gupta and Kavita [1] analysed the effect of frame rotation for porous slider bearing, Singh and Gupta [2] investigated the performance of a pivoted curved slider bearings for pseudoplastic and dilatant lubricants, Pascovici et al [3] presented an experimental evidence of cavitation effects in a Rayleigh step slider, Venkateswarlu and Rodkiewicz [4] discussed the thrust bearing characteristics considering the terminal speed of the slider, Williams and Symmons [5] analysed the performance of hydrodynamic slider bearings for non-Newtonian lubricants, and Sharma and Pandey [6] presented an experimental comparison of the slider bearing performance for different shapes.…”