• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2012

This application study of a swash-plate type axial piston pump was concerned about the lubrication characteristics between cylinder barrel and valve plate which are the main rotating body and its opposite sliding part respectively. A computer simulation was implemented to assess bearing and sealing functions of the fluid film between cylinder barrel and valve plate. A numerical algorithm was developed to facilitate simultaneous calculations of dynamic cylinder pressure, 3 degree-of-freedom barrel motions considering inertia effect, and fluid film pressure assuming full fluid film lubrication regime. Central clearance, tilt angle, and azimuth angle of the rotating body were calculated for each time step. Surface waviness was found to be an influential factor due to the small fluid film thickness which can appear in flat land bearings. Five surface lays which can form on the lubrication surface in accordance with machining process were defined and analyzed using the simulation tool. Oil leakage flow and frictional torque in the fluid film between cylinder barrel and valve plate were also calculated to discuss in the viewpoint of energy loss. The simulation results showed that in actual sliding conditions proper surface non-flatness can make a positive effect on the energy efficiency and reliability of the thrust bearing.