Starvation and Re-lubrication in Oscillating Bearings: Influence of Grease Parameters

Abstract A common application for grease-lubricated oscillating rolling element bearings is, e.g., rotor blade in wind turbines. These mainly operate under conditions that are prone to starvation. If the grease is unable provide enough inlet lubricant supply contact between and bearing raceway, wear form of False Brinelling thus premature failure possible. Bearing experiments with different lithium complex model greases, which differ their base oil viscosity separation rate, were carried out show influence parameters on initiation. The results ability release a high amount mobility into track crucial mechanism prevent wear, especially at small oscillation angles. For angles larger than critical angle, secondary replenishment may early experimental used validate starvation proposed earlier work (Wandel et al. Tribol Int 165:107276, 2022).