Gear teeth and cam-follower couplings are typical non-conformal contacts working under transient elastohydrodynamic conditions undergoing variations of load, speed and geometry. Therefore, both numerical and experimental simulation of these contacts are difficult. Experimental results can validate numerical results and furnish useful indications for design optimization of gears and cam systems. In this work, a new test rig is presented that has been purposely designed for investigations on lubricated contacts working under transient conditions, as gear teeth and cam-follower contacts. Some theoretical/numerical simulations has been performed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of the apparatus to obtain important indications for its design. The contact is formed between a specimen of suitable shape moved by an electric motor and a flat counterface. The load is applied thanks to a lever system and calibrated springs. Film thickness and contact forces are the main quantities measured by the experimental apparatus. Film thickness and shape are estimated using optical interferometry; interference images are recorded using a microscope connected with a computer controlled high-speed camera when using glass counterfaces. A complex dynamometric system with load cells has been realised for measuring all components of the contact force. An air cooled insulated base is used for thermal insulation. A real-time controller and data acquisition system are used.

Experimental apparatus for film thickness and friction measurements on gear teeth and cam-follower contacts

CIULLI, ENRICO;
2010-01-01

Abstract

Gear teeth and cam-follower couplings are typical non-conformal contacts working under transient elastohydrodynamic conditions undergoing variations of load, speed and geometry. Therefore, both numerical and experimental simulation of these contacts are difficult. Experimental results can validate numerical results and furnish useful indications for design optimization of gears and cam systems. In this work, a new test rig is presented that has been purposely designed for investigations on lubricated contacts working under transient conditions, as gear teeth and cam-follower contacts. Some theoretical/numerical simulations has been performed to investigate the dynamic behaviour of the apparatus to obtain important indications for its design. The contact is formed between a specimen of suitable shape moved by an electric motor and a flat counterface. The load is applied thanks to a lever system and calibrated springs. Film thickness and contact forces are the main quantities measured by the experimental apparatus. Film thickness and shape are estimated using optical interferometry; interference images are recorded using a microscope connected with a computer controlled high-speed camera when using glass counterfaces. A complex dynamometric system with load cells has been realised for measuring all components of the contact force. An air cooled insulated base is used for thermal insulation. A real-time controller and data acquisition system are used.
2010
9781740522120
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/137341
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