Influence of the balls kinematics of axially loaded ball bearings on Coulombic frictional dissipations

Ball bearings have been used for a long time. Nevertheless, the description of their behavior remains incomplete in spite of the large number of surveys dedicated to ball bearings. Particularly, the exact balls kinematics has still to be addressed in depth. This paper proposes a new way to calculate the balls kinematics by using a simplified quasi-static approach for dry lubricated and axially loaded ball bearings. This method does not use the classical restrictive race control assumptions. More specifically, the role played by the balls kinematics is emphasized by means of the power dissipated within contacts between balls and races. The need for a correct evaluation of the balls behavior is illustrated by using an example, viz. a ball bearing of cryogenic engine turbopump. Indeed, the dissipated power is one of the main concerns in this particular case.