On the flash temperature of gear contacts under the tribo-dynamic condition

This study investigates the flash temperature rise of spur gear contacts under the tribo-dynamic condition. A transverse-torsional discrete gear dynamics model is coupled with a mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication formulation to include the interactions between the gear dynamics and the gear tribological behavior. The flash temperature rises are quantified within a wide speed range under the different operating and surface conditions. By comparing the simulation results between the tribo-dynamic and quasi-static conditions, evident deviations are observed, pointing to the important role of the gear dynamics in the flash temperature rise. Very interestingly, it is found not only the line-of-action dynamic response but also the off-line-of-action vibratory motion affects the surface flash temperature.