Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication of Big-End Bearings Part 1: Theory

Lubrication of a dynamically loaded big-end bearing is re-examined under elastohydrodynamic assumptions. All current models are found to be in some way deficient; reference frame anomalies and erroneous connecting-rod kinetics proliferate. Part 1 of this work presents a consistent schema correcting deficiencies identified in previous big-end studies. Newton-Raphson and continuation techniques are developed for the solution of a Galerkin system formulation. This formulation additionally features a simple ‘vapour’ cavitation model. Part 2 presents verifications of the developed theory: comparisons with previous theoretical works along with an overdue comparison with previously published experimental results.