Ball motion in thrust loaded ball bearings

This paper reports on a study of ball motion, including the measurement of the ball rolling axis, in thrust loaded angular contact bearings. Experimental results of cage speed, ball speed and orientation of the rolling axis are compared with theoretical values based on realistic elastohydrodynamic traction and viscoelastic force expressions. The excellent agreement between theory and practice enables a skidding threshold for the test bearing to be presented, and explains actual ball motion more fully.