Isoviscous flow past a rigid sphere partially immersed in a thin oil film

Numerical solutions to steady state circular contact elastohydrodynamic lubrication problems normally employ Reynolds equation, forcing the assumption that the flow through the conjunction is two‐dimensional and single‐phase. In this paper, the full Navier–Stokes equations are used on a simpler rigid isoviscous sliding point contact. The aim of the study was to compute the lubricant flow patterns through and around the conjunction of a point contact when the oil inlet is a free surface that has a similar wavy shape to the wake. This model is like some seen experimentally in a ball and plate machine or industrially in a radial ball bearing with insufficient lubricant supply. There is first a discussion on the alteration with time of the oil wake geometry after it has left the conjunction. Then, the computed results mapped the areas of varying concentration between oil and air. They showed an accumulation of oil and vapour forming a reservoir at the inlet to the conjunction. Within it was a vortex attached to the stationary surface, just downstream of which, the main pressure distribution commences. The computed flow patterns were compared with experimental pictures wherever possible. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.