Duncan Dowson: Pioneer of elastohydrodynamic lubrication of gears

The paper briefly reviews Duncan Dowson's ground-breaking contribution to the theory of elastohydrodynamic lubrication in relation understanding gear tooth contacts. His early work with Higginson on numerical modelling finally explained how gears can operate successfully, and avoid wear, due generation a stiff, protective oil film. resulting minimum film thickness equation stands as reliable reference formula for calculations design standards. includes examples has been developed by present authors their co-workers, applied aid engineering components such worm gears, thrust rims profile-modified helical gears. Also included is its extension include important effects surface roughness at asperity level (micro-elastohydrodynamic lubrication) relevance current, troublesome problem micropitting.