Electrical Field Strength in Rough Infinite Line Contact Elastohydrodynamic Conjunctions

Rolling element bearings are required to operate in a variety of use cases that determine voltage potentials will form between the rolling elements and races. When electrical field strength causes dielectric breakdown intermediary lubricant film discharge can damage bearing surfaces. To reduce prevalence severity machining an improved understanding coupled mechanical behavior is necessary. This paper aims improve problem through combined elastohydrodynamic electrostatic numerical study charged conjunctions. The results show effect amplitude reduction means for typical surface topographies found EHL conjunctions maximum adequately predicted by minimum thickness potential difference. also indicates width elevated region dependent on parameters which could have important implications magnitude current density during breakdown.