A framework for thermohydrodynamic lubrication analysis

Thermohydrodynamic lubrication is complicated by the multiplicity of heat transfer paths from the site of dissipation to the surroundings. This has impeded a general understanding of thermohydrodynamic phenomena. The method of lumped variables is applied to a simple slider bearing (as an example) to explore thermohydrodynamic lubrication. This approach leads to a better understanding of the interplay between the different modes of heat transfer and the influence of the associated temperature rises on performance, and how this can be captured by the use of appropriate non-dimensional measures. Such measures also allow the mapping of the problem into a set of regimes characterized by the relative importance of different heat transfer modes.