In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors
This study explores the in situ measurement of contact temperature in thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) within cylindrical roller thrust bearings (CRTBs) utilizing vapour-deposited resistive thin-film sensors. The sensors, optimized for compactness and high spatial resolution, were strate...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| author | Manjunath Manjunath Patrick De Baets Dieter Fauconnier |
| author_facet | Manjunath Manjunath Patrick De Baets Dieter Fauconnier |
| author_sort | Manjunath Manjunath |
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| description | This study explores the in situ measurement of contact temperature in thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) within cylindrical roller thrust bearings (CRTBs) utilizing vapour-deposited resistive thin-film sensors. The sensors, optimized for compactness and high spatial resolution, were strategically embedded on the stationary bearing raceways near the outer, inner, and mean radius. This configuration enabled a precise measurement of temperature variations in both pure rolling and rolling–sliding regions of the CRTBs. The experimental results revealed a consistent decrease in temperature from the inner and outer radius zones towards the mean radius as the slip-to-roll ratio (SRR) decreased in these regions. Temperature profiles showed an early rise in the inlet zone attributed to thermal inlet shear. At higher speeds, a secondary temperature peak indicative of full-film lubrication was observed in the outlet zone immediately following the Hertzian contact. The study further shows the influence of surface pressure, shear rates, sliding friction, and circumferential speed on contact temperature dynamics, offering insights into their complex interplay. Additionally, viscosity variations due to different oil temperatures were found to critically affect the rate of temperature rise and the propensity for mixed friction phenomena. A higher viscosity resulted in an earlier onset of the temperature rise in the contact, while a lower viscosity and higher speeds promote mixed lubrication, leading to reduced contact film temperatures. These findings provide valuable insights into the behaviour of CRTB-lubricated contacts under various operating conditions and serve as crucial validation data for advanced TEHL computational models. |
| format | Article |
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| issn | 2075-1702 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| series | Machines |
| spelling | doaj-art-ffbc94dad8294a0ba799bc98c36cfc062025-08-20T02:28:32ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022025-04-0113429710.3390/machines13040297In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film SensorsManjunath Manjunath0Patrick De Baets1Dieter Fauconnier2Soete Laboratory, Department of Electromechanical, Systems & Metal Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 903, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumSoete Laboratory, Department of Electromechanical, Systems & Metal Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 903, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumSoete Laboratory, Department of Electromechanical, Systems & Metal Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Technologiepark 903, 9052 Ghent, BelgiumThis study explores the in situ measurement of contact temperature in thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) within cylindrical roller thrust bearings (CRTBs) utilizing vapour-deposited resistive thin-film sensors. The sensors, optimized for compactness and high spatial resolution, were strategically embedded on the stationary bearing raceways near the outer, inner, and mean radius. This configuration enabled a precise measurement of temperature variations in both pure rolling and rolling–sliding regions of the CRTBs. The experimental results revealed a consistent decrease in temperature from the inner and outer radius zones towards the mean radius as the slip-to-roll ratio (SRR) decreased in these regions. Temperature profiles showed an early rise in the inlet zone attributed to thermal inlet shear. At higher speeds, a secondary temperature peak indicative of full-film lubrication was observed in the outlet zone immediately following the Hertzian contact. The study further shows the influence of surface pressure, shear rates, sliding friction, and circumferential speed on contact temperature dynamics, offering insights into their complex interplay. Additionally, viscosity variations due to different oil temperatures were found to critically affect the rate of temperature rise and the propensity for mixed friction phenomena. A higher viscosity resulted in an earlier onset of the temperature rise in the contact, while a lower viscosity and higher speeds promote mixed lubrication, leading to reduced contact film temperatures. These findings provide valuable insights into the behaviour of CRTB-lubricated contacts under various operating conditions and serve as crucial validation data for advanced TEHL computational models.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/4/297thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubricationbearingresistive thin-film sensorscontact temperature |
| spellingShingle | Manjunath Manjunath Patrick De Baets Dieter Fauconnier In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors Machines thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication bearing resistive thin-film sensors contact temperature |
| title | In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors |
| title_full | In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors |
| title_fullStr | In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors |
| title_full_unstemmed | In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors |
| title_short | In Situ Measurement and Mapping of Lubricant Film Temperature in Cylindrical Roller Thrust Bearings Using Thin-Film Sensors |
| title_sort | in situ measurement and mapping of lubricant film temperature in cylindrical roller thrust bearings using thin film sensors |
| topic | thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication bearing resistive thin-film sensors contact temperature |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/4/297 |
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