PUB - EHL Simulation of Transient Friction of Translational Seals in Pneumatic Spool Valves under Consideration of 3D Surface Topography Measurement Data

The frictional behavior of seals determines the functional behavior in many applications. Translational pneumatic seals are widely used in pneumatic switching elements. However, the precise functional relationships between the frictional behavior and the characteristic properties of the components and materials used are still unknown.

Intro

Authors: Bauer, Niklas; Baumann, Matthias; Feldmeth, Simon; Bauer, Frank; Schmitz, Katharina

This contribution presents an elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model for pneumatic spool valves. For an accurate estimation of the transient friction of this tribological sealing system, the surface topography of the cylindrical sealing counterfaces of the valve housings are measured and analyzed with an optical surface measurement instrument. Based on the surface topography data, tribological properties and flow factors of the system are derived. It has been found that the consideration of the surface topography has a considerable influence on the simulation results of the EHL model, lowering the calculated friction force by up to .This contribution presents an elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model for pneumatic spool valves. For an accurate estimation of the transient friction of this tribological sealing system, the surface topography of the cylindrical sealing counterfaces of the valve housings are measured and analyzed with an optical surface measurement instrument. Based on the surface topography data, tribological properties and flow factors of the system are derived. It has been found that the consideration of the surface topography has a considerable influence on the simulation results of the EHL model, lowering the calculated friction force by up to 20%.