Micro-roughness effects in (elasto)hydrodynamic lubrication including a mass-flow preserving cavitation model

An average Reynolds equation is proposed for predicting the effects of deterministic periodic roughness, taking JFO mass flow preserving cavitation model and elastohydrodynamic effects into account. For this, the asymptotic model is based upon a double scale analysis approach. The average Reynolds equation can be used both for the description of cavitation on a macroscopic scale in widening gap regions as well as for cavitation on the microscopic interasperity scale. Results of numerical simulations based on the model are presented for the case of a hydrodynamically lubricated journal bearings and an elasto-hydrodynamically lubricated point contact.