Four approaches for calculating power losses in an angular contact ball bearing

• Published in: Mechanism and machine theory 2020-02, Vol.144, p.103669, Article 103669
• Main Authors: Popescu, A., Houpert, L., Olaru, D.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angular contact ball bearing (ACBB); Ball angular and orbital speeds; Friction torque; Power loss; Sliding speeds
• ISSN: 0094-114X; 1873-3999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2019.103669

•Original method simulating kinematics and friction in a modified ball bearing.•Ball kinematics defined using ball force and moment equilibrium.•Four methods to simulate power loss in ball-races contacts validated by experiment.•Angular contact ball bearing with three balls without cage proposed as rheometer. Using the ball forces and moments equilibrium, the locations of the pure rolling lines on the inner and outer ball-race contact of a modified 7205B angular contact ball bearing were determined. The latter locations were used for defining the angular and orbital speeds of the balls. Also, tangential forces values have been determined considering a constant friction coefficient. Finally, the total friction torque and the corresponding dissipated power equations in an angular contact ball bearing (ACBB) operating in dry conditions have been proposed. Original models using four possible approaches were used and the calculated results compared successfully to the experimental ones. The proposed experimental test rig can be considered as a rheometer used for determining the ball–race friction coefficient.