A fundamental approach is proposed to modern lubrication problems, including thermohydrodynamics problems, via computer simulation of the full nonlinear, three-dimensional, time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations, i.e. via modern Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The approach is capable of addressing seven major problem areas in modern lubrication problems: (I) thermal effects in the fluid (ther-mohydrodynamics); (2) mixed inlet flows; (3) cavitation; (4) two phase flow; (5) time varying system conditions; (6) turbulence (in all or parts of a film); and (7) elastohydrodynamics.Commercial Applications:The CFD analysis code(s) resulting from the Phase II work will be marketed commercially, and have the potential of improving the speed and accuracy of tribology design optimization studies.
