Numerical investigation on single dent in EHL point contacts

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of single dent on the film thickness and pressure in elastohydrodynamically lubricated (EHL) point contacts by numerical analysis. Design/methodology/approach The governing equations of single dent were established and then the variations of the film thickness and pressure induced by the applied load, the entrainment velocity and the ball radius were investigated. Meanwhile, the film thickness and pressure under smooth and dented surfaces were compared with each other. Findings The dent enhances both the maximum pressure and the second pressure peak. The minimum film thickness arises before the dent under certain conditions. In the meantime, the pressure decreases at the inside of the dent and the film thickness is just the reverse. The entrainment velocity remarkably affects the overall film thickness, whereas the rest of the input parameters mainly decides the details of the film curve. All input parameters remarkably affect the overall pressure, especially the maximum pressure. Originality/value This work is helpful to understanding the effect of the single dent on the lubricating properties of EHL point contacts.