Fluid film lubrication with nonlinear four-element viscoelastic fluids (finite-width journal bearings and parallel circular bearings in normal approach)

A modified Reynolds equation for nonlinear viscoelastic fluids based on a nonlinear four-element model was derived, and the effects of viscoelastic behavior on the performance of parallel circular squeeze bearings oscillated sinusoidally was clarified by comparing the theoretical results with experimental ones. This paper presents two applications of the modified Reynolds equation to fluid film lubrication problems. By applying the modified Reynolds equation to a finite-width journal bearing which is oscillated sinusoidally, the analytical procedure for viscoelastic lubrication problems under three-dimensional flows of lubricants is clarified, and good agreement is shown between the experimental results and the theoretical predictions based on the four-element model.