Abstract Rolling element bearings are the most common type of bearings and about 90 % of them are lubricated with grease. In flow modeling grease has almost always been treated as a homogeneous single-component material described by a shear thinning rheological model. The present modeling paper attempts to incorporate key features not addressed by existing models: the two-component nature of the grease, and the fact that the thickener is a sort of delivery system of oil to the contact. In the present approach, the thickener is modeled as a medium containing the oil. Oil flows through the thickener according to the Darcy-Brinkman law. The thickener is regarded as a sort of porous medium, but the key feature is a linear interaction force between the two components. The model is conceptual and speculative but could provide inspiration for alternate ways of thinking about grease flow behavior. Three idealized cases are considered: flow in simple configurations of rheological devices, flow in a contact completely composed of grease, and flow in a contact with a layer of grease and a layer of oil. For illustrative purposes the rigid cylinder-plane contact is considered, and a beneficial effect of the grease is seen. Many extensions of the model itself are possible, and it can be applied to more realistic problems. Although validation is not provided, the conceptual framework could likely be tested by relatively straightforward experiments.

中文翻译：

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基于双组分混合物模型的润滑脂流动

摘要 滚动轴承是最常见的轴承类型，90%左右采用油脂润滑。在流动建模中，润滑脂几乎总是被视为由剪切稀化流变模型描述的均质单组分材料。本建模论文试图结合现有模型未解决的关键特征：润滑脂的双组分性质，以及增稠剂是一种将油输送到触点的系统这一事实。在本方法中，增稠剂被建模为含有油的介质。根据达西-布林克曼定律，油流经增稠器。增稠剂被视为一种多孔介质，但其关键特征是两种组分之间的线性相互作用力。该模型是概念性和推测性的，但可以为思考油脂流动行为的替代方法提供灵感。考虑了三种理想情况：在流变装置的简单配置中流动，在完全由油脂组成的接触中流动，以及在与一层油脂和一层油的接触中流动。出于说明目的，考虑了刚性圆柱面接触，并且可以看到润滑脂的有益效果。模型本身的许多扩展都是可能的，并且可以应用于更现实的问题。虽然没有提供验证，但可以通过相对简单的实验来测试概念框架。在完全由油脂组成的触点中流动，在与一层油脂和一层油的触点中流动。出于说明目的，考虑了刚性圆柱面接触，并且可以看到润滑脂的有益效果。模型本身的许多扩展都是可能的，并且可以应用于更现实的问题。虽然没有提供验证，但可以通过相对简单的实验来测试概念框架。在完全由油脂组成的触点中流动，在与一层油脂和一层油的触点中流动。出于说明目的，考虑了刚性圆柱面接触，并且可以看到润滑脂的有益效果。模型本身的许多扩展都是可能的，并且可以应用于更现实的问题。虽然没有提供验证，但可以通过相对简单的实验来测试概念框架。