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The contact and lubrication performances, which were previously estimated assuming a Gaussian surface, are insufficient due to the non-Gaussian surface characteristics of the honing liner. The purpose of this study is to analyze the liner honing surface and examine its effects on the contact and flow performance.

The fast Fourier transform (FFT) method was used to generate the liner honing texture. Subsequently, an elastoplastic contact model based on boundary element theory was constructed and simulated for the honing surface. The results were compared with those obtained using a Gaussian surface. In addition, flow factors of the honing surfaces were also compared.

The contact pressure and flow factors demonstrate significant disparities when dealing with non-Gaussian surfaces. In the deterministic model, the pressure exhibits considerably diminished magnitudes and a more evenly distribution. Moreover, when the gap between surfaces is narrow, the discrepancy in flow factor across different directions on the real honing surface becomes more prominent compared with the Gaussian surface.

The model incorporates the influence of the non-Gaussian honing surface, thereby enabling more accurate prediction.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2023-0198/

This paper aims to focus on the high-speed rotary lip seal in aircraft engines, combining its service parameters, its own structure and application conditions, to study the influence of different eccentric forms, eccentricity, rotational speed and other factors on the performance of the rotary lip seal.

A numerical simulation model for high-speed eccentric rotary lip seals has been developed based on the theory of elastic hydrodynamic lubrication. This model comprehensively considers the coupling of multiple physical fields, including interface hydrodynamics, macroscopic solid mechanics and surface microscopic contact mechanics, under the operating conditions of rotary lip seals. The model takes into account eccentricity and uses the hazardous cross-sectional method to quantitatively predict sealing performance parameters, such as leakage rate and friction force.

Eccentricity has a large impact on lip seal performance; lips are more susceptible to wear failure under static eccentricity and to leakage failure under dynamic eccentricity.

This study provides a new idea for the design of rotary lip seal considering eccentricity, which is of guiding significance for the engineering application of rotary lip seal.

This paper aims to investigate the effect of frictional heat on the wear of high-speed rotary lip seals in engines.

In this research paper, the authors focus on the high-speed rotating lip seal of aircraft engines. Using the hybrid lubrication theory, a thermal-fluid-solid coupled numerical simulation model is established to investigate the influence of parameters such as contact pressure distribution, temperature rise and leakage rate on the sealing performance under different operating conditions. By incorporating the Rhee wear theory and combining simulation results with experimental data, a method for predicting the wear of the rotating seal lip profile is proposed. Experimental validation is conducted using a high-speed rotating test rig.

The results indicate that as the speed increases, the rise in frictional heat leads to a decrease in the sealing performance of the lip seal contact region. The experimental results show a similar trend to the numerical simulation results, and considering the effect of frictional heat, the predicted wear of the lip seal profile aligns more closely with the actual wear curve. This highlights the importance of considering the influence of frictional heat in the analysis of rotating seal mechanisms.

This study provides a reference for the prediction of wear profiles of engine high-speed rotary lip seals.

The purpose of this study is to develop a transient wheel–rail rolling contact model to primarily investigate the rail damage under wet condition when the train passes through the welded joints.

The impact force induced by welded joints is obtained through vehicle–track coupling dynamics. The normal and tangential wheel–rail contact pressures were solved by elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory and simplified third-body layer theory, respectively. Then, the obtained tangential pressure and normal pressure were applied to the finite element model as moving loads, simulating cyclic loading. Finally, the shakedown map and critical plane method were used to predict rolling contact fatigue (RCF) and the initiation of fatigue cracks.

The results indicate that RCF will occur and fatigue cracks are more prone to appear on the subsurface of the rail, specifically around 2.7 mm below the rail surface in the vicinity of the welded joint and its heat-affected zone.

The cosimulation of numerical model and finite element model was implemented. The influence of surface roughness and fluids was considered. In this model, the normal and tangential wheel–rail contact pressure, the stress and strain and the rail fatigue cracks were obtained under a rail-welded joint excitation.

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.

In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.

This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.

The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.

As the crucial support component of the propeller power system, the reliability of the operation of submersible pumps is influenced by the lubrication performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings. When the water-lubricated thrust bearings are under start-stop or heavy load conditions, the effect of surface morphology is crucial as the mixed lubrication regime is encountered. This paper aims to develop one mixed lubrication model for the water-lubricated thrust bearings to predict the effects of surface skewness, kurtosis and roughness orientation on the loading carrying capacity and tribological behavior.

This paper developed one improved mixed lubrication model specifically for the water-lubricated thrust bearing system. In this model, the hydrodynamic model was improved by using the height of the rough surface and its probability density function, combined with the average flow model. The asperity contact model was improved by using the equation for the Pearson system of frequency curves to characterize the non-Gaussian aspect of surface roughness distribution.

According to the results, negative skewness, large kurtosis and lateral surface pattern can improve the tribological performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings. Optimizing the surface morphology is a reasonable design method that can improve the performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings.

In this paper, one mixed lubrication model specifically for the water-lubricated thrust bearing with the effect of surface roughness into consideration was developed. Based on the developed model, the effect of surface morphology on tribological behavior can be evaluated.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2023-0247/

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of surface texture on the subsurface characteristics of contact interfaces under elastohydrodynamic lubrication condition. As a typical contact form of gears and bearings, the optimization of friction characteristics at the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) interface has attracted the attention of scholars. Laser surface texturing is a feasible optimization solution, but there have been concerns about whether the surface texture of high-pair parts will affect their fatigue life.

To examine the impact of texture preparation on the subsurface characteristics of high-pair interfaces under EHL conditions, a point contact EHL model is developed that takes into account the effect of textured surface topography. The pressure and thickness of the oil film are calculated as input parameters under different loads and entrainment velocities. The finite element method is used to simulate the impact of textures with varying diameters, densities and depths on the subsurface characteristics of the elastohydrodynamic interface. According to ISO 25178, analyze the relationship between 3D topography parameters and subsurface characteristics and study the trend of friction characteristics and subsurface characteristics based on the results of the ball on disc friction tests.

The outcomes suggest that under different rotational velocity and load conditions, the textured surfaces exhibit improved friction reduction effects; however, the creation of textures can result in significant subsurface plastic deformation and local peeling. The existence of texture makes the larger stress zone in the subsurface layer closer to the surface, leading to fatigue failure near the surface. Reasonable design parameters can help enhance the attributes of the subsurface. A smaller Sa and a Str greater than 0.5 can achieve ideal subsurface properties on the textured surface.

This paper investigates the influence of surface texture on the friction and subsurface characteristics of EHL interfaces and analyzes the impact of surface texture on interface contact performance while achieving lubrication improvement functional characteristics. The results provide theoretical support for the optimization design and functional regulation of surface texture in EHL interfaces.

The peer review history for this article is https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-10-2023-0324/

Harmonic gears always work under different operating conditions and may usually break down due to lubrication failures, while its lubrication mechanism is still not clearly understood. This paper aims to present a lubrication model comprehensively considering the influence of contact geometry, lubrication properties and three-dimensional (3D) real surface roughness to analyze the lubrication performance under different conditions.

Based on the discrete convolution-fast Fourier transformation with duplicated padding and quasi-system numerical methods, the lubrication model for harmonic gears is developed, which is verified by comparing results with available lubrication data.

The effects of meshing process, working conditions and 3D roughness on the lubrication characteristics are discussed. From the calculated cases, the increase in rotational speed and decrease of applied torque may increase the film thickness, enhancing the lubrication performance of harmonic gears. It is also observed that proper surface roughness can be used for lubrication design.

The research results can provide theoretical guidance for improving lubrication performance and reducing friction/wear of the harmonic gear interfaces. This study can be promoted to various engineering scenarios of harmonic gears, such as industrial robots, space-driven agencies and precision measuring instruments.

Tribological research is complex and multidisciplinary, with many parameters to consider. As traditional experimentation is time-consuming and expensive due to the complexity of tribological systems, researchers tend to use quantitative and qualitative analysis to monitor critical parameters and material characterization to explain observed dependencies. In this regard, numerical modeling and simulation offers a cost-effective alternative to physical experimentation but must be validated with limited testing. This paper aims to highlight advances in numerical modeling as they relate to the field of tribology.

This study performed an in-depth literature review for the field of modeling and simulation as it relates to tribology. The authors initially looked at the application of foundational studies (e.g. Stribeck) to understand the gaps in the current knowledge set. The authors then evaluated a number of modern developments related to contact mechanics, surface roughness, tribofilm formation and fluid-film layers. In particular, it looked at key fields driving tribology models including nanoparticle research and prosthetics. The study then sought out to understand the future trends in this research field.

The field of tribology, numerical modeling has shown to be a powerful tool, which is both time- and cost-effective when compared to standard bench testing. The characterization of tribological systems of interest fundamentally stems from the lubrication regimes designated in the Stribeck curve. The prediction of tribofilm formation, film thickness variation, fluid properties, asperity contact and surface deformation as well as the continuously changing interactions between such parameters is an essential challenge for proper modeling.

This paper highlights the major numerical modeling achievements in various disciplines and discusses their efficacy, assumptions and limitations in tribology research.

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-03-2023-0076/

This study aims to investigate the effects of irregular groove textures on the friction and wear performance of sliding contact surfaces. These textures possess multiple depths and asymmetrical features. To optimize the irregular groove texture structure of the sliding contact surface, an adaptive genetic algorithm was used for research and optimization purposes.

Using adaptive genetic algorithm as an optimization tool, numerical simulations were conducted on surface textures by establishing a dimensionless form of the Reynolds equation and setting appropriate boundary conditions. An adaptive genetic algorithm program in MATLAB was established. Genetic iterative methods were used to calculate the optimal texture structure. Genetic individuals were selected through fitness comparison. The depth of the groove texture is gradually adjusted through genetic crossover, mutation, and mutation operations. The optimal groove structure was ultimately obtained by comparing the bearing capacity and pressure of different generations of micro-convex bodies.

After about 100 generations of iteration, the distribution of grooved textures became relatively stable, and after about 320 generations, the depth and distribution of groove textures reached their optimal structure. At this stage, irregular texture structures can support more loads by forming oil films. Compared with regular textures, the friction coefficient of irregular textures decreased by nearly 47.01%, while the carrying capacity of lubricating oil films increased by 54.57%. The research results show that irregular texture structures have better lubrication characteristics and can effectively improve the friction performance of component surfaces.

Surface textures can enhance the friction and lubrication performance of metal surfaces, improving the mechanical performance and lifespan of components. However, surface texture processing is challenging, as it often requires multiple experimental comparisons to determine the optimal texture structure, resulting in high trial-and-error costs. By using an adaptive genetic algorithm as an optimization tool, the optimal surface groove structure can be obtained through simulation and modeling, effectively saving costs in the process.