SHORT PLANE BEARINGS LUBRICATION APPLIED ON CHAIN JOINTS

The aim of this paper is to describe the theoretical pressure distribution and loading capacity of the chain joints. The lubricating contact between pin and bush (bush chains) or pin and tooth cleat (silent chains) is modelled with Ocvirk’s short bearing solution which is based on the assumption that the contact surface between the two elements on width direction is significantly smaller than on length direction. This paper is presenting the steps to obtain the final the formula for pressure distribution. Numerical calculations are applied in the case of a bush chain. The loading capacity is calculated depending on lubricant thickness and speed in order to predict the type of lubrication that is present between the pin and bush.