A study on engine bearing performance using EHL analysis and experimental analysis

Abstract In order to efficiently improve engine bearing durability, we investigated the feasibility of predicting the durability of actual engine bearings by means of hydrodynamic lubrication computations. This paper describes a method of predicting the amount of actual engine bearing wear based on the results of a numerical analysis (EHL analysis) which takes into account the pressure dependence of lubricant viscosity and the elastic deformation of the bearing housing. The wear shape predicted by this method serves as input data for the EHL analysis calculations. The results show that variations in bearing performance caused by wear are substantial. Analyses that incorporate wear shape data make it possible to examine durability under conditions that more closely approximate actual conditions.