Research Information System
WEAR, vol.173, pp.199-206, 1994 (SCI-Expanded)
Lubrication and sealing mechanisms of fixed clearance end plates in high-pressure pumps have been analysed theoretically and experimentally. Bearing misalignment was found to be the main lubrication mechanism, and it was effective in determining the gear position between two end plates. The minimum film thickness between the gear end and end plate has been found to depend on the magnitude of the relative tilt of the surfaces and the position of the maximum clearance. The theory developed can predict the film thickness between the end plate and gear end face, and this corresponds very closely to the clearances measured experimentally under a variety of operating conditions.