Multi-physics tribo-dynamics simulation of lubricated translational joints in marine engines

Lubricated translational joints are extensively utilized in power equipment. Due to the presence of clearance, the moving mass exhibits transverse motion within the guide rail in addition to its reciprocating motion. This transverse motion significantly influences the friction, wear, and service life of the friction pair. In this process, multi-physics factors such as fluid lubrication, structural deformation, and frictional heat generation interact with each other, making the tribo-dynamics characteristics very complex. In the current study, a new thermal-fluid-solid coupled method for modeling the tribo-dynamics of translational lubricated joints is presented, and it is applied to the crosshead slider-guide friction pair in marine engines. Research results show that the tribo-dynamics characteristics of the slider predicted by the model is consistent with the experimental ones, the correctness of the model is verified. The frictional heat generation has little effect on the tribo-dynamics characteristics of the crosshead slider under the rated operating conditions. However, the structure deformation induced by the external load intensifies the transverse motion of the crosshead slider. Compared with the model that ignored the deformation, the transverse displacement can be increased by 30%, which indicates that it is necessary to consider the multi-physics coupling effect.