Short Plane Bearings Lubrication Applied on Silent Chain Joints

Abstract

This paper describes the theoretical pressure distribution and loading capacity of the silent chain joints. The lubricating contact between the pin and toothed cleat (silent chains) is modeled with Ocvirk’s short bearing solution which is based on the assumption that the contact surface between the two elements in the width direction is significantly smaller than in the length direction. This paper is presenting the steps to obtain the final formula for pressure distribution, numerical calculations are applied to the case of a silent chain. The loading capacity is computed depending on lubricant thickness and rotational speed in order to predict the type of lubrication that is present between the pin and tooth cleats.