The aim of this diploma thesis is to find out how the geometric parameters of circular textures affect the friction and lubrication in a conformal contact. The configuration of a partial, radial, hydrodynamic bearing was investigated on a modified block on-ring device, where the block was replaced by a sapphire section. The device allows simultaneous measurement of friction and optical observation of processes in contact. The light induced fluorescence method was used for the measurement of film thickness. None of the studied texture combinations had a positive effect on the transition from hydrodynamic mode to mixed lubrication mode. Textures in the narrow band of the combination of diameter and depth have a positive effect, outside of them negative effect of texture on friction and film thickness was observed.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to describe the influence of individual operating parameters on thickness and temperature distribution of elastohydrodynamic contact under high slip ratio. In this work, the distribution of the lubricant film thickness is determined by optical interferometry and the temperature mapping in EHL contact is realized by infrared microscopy. Two optical filters were used to separate the radiation of contact surfaces and oil. Temperature of disk surface was measured using a sapphire disk with chromium layer that shielded radiation from ball and oil. The experimental device was modified to simulate the conditions of the various vectors between entrainment and sliding speed. The results extend existing information about behavior of EHL contact under high slip ratio conditions.

This work deals with experimental analysis of fluid film instability in rotor bearing systems stored in hydrodynamic plain bearings with focus on bearing surface modification. The experiments were performed on a journal bearing dynamics simulator. The aim was to determine the influence of individual operating parameters on the occurrence and course of turbulence instability. The emphasis here was on the effect of surface micro textures. The work also included the preparation of textured samples. Experiments were divided into experiments monitoring the influence of temperature, pressure, bearing geometry and surface modification. The output of the individual experiments were the values of the threshold speed of formation and termination of instability or the magnitude of the amplitude depending on the above described parameters. These values were plotted in graphs. This data was then confronted with previously published articles. The results showed that instabilityin rotor systems is very sensitive to temperature, pressure and bearing geometry changes. The fundamental influence on the unstable behavior of the rotor system has been demonstrated by the use of textured surfaces, where the threshold speed was significantly shifted to a higher speed range compared to the non-textured bearing.

The purpose of this thesis is to reveal production mechanisms of lubrication films between non-conformal surfaces in situations, when is not possible to designate lubrication regime as fully flooded elastohydrodynamic contact. Under certain conditions of lubrication volume, rolling speeds, temperatures, lubrication properties or loads could lubrication film decrease under values determined by fully flooded formulas. This regime is designated as starvation at it includes risk of increased wear. In this thesis the methodology and the new simulator of starving contact are described. Obtained film thickness results are compared with existing numerical models.

This diploma thesis deals with experimental study of the effect of surface grooves on distribution of lubricant film in elastohydrodynamic lubricated point contact. Lubricant film thickness was measured by ball-on-disc apparatus using an optical interferometry technique - thin film colorimetric interferometry. The effects of groove geometry, lubricant and operating conditions were studied in this diploma thesis. The effects of these variables are evaluated based on newly suggested parameter Rgi (groove influence ratio). Groove influence ratio is defined as an influenced film thickness influenced by groove divided by film thickness for smooth surfaces.

This thesis deals with the experimental study of the formation of the lubricating film used for sintered metal parts impregnated with oil. The thickness of the lubricating film in a line contact is measured by the method of optical interferometry of thin lubricating films. In this thesis, the effects of various operating parameters on the formation of the lubricating film are described. The usage of impregnated lubricant leads to insufficient supply of lubricant to the contact. Individual results are significantly influenced by the degree of flooding of the contact area.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to describe mechanisms involved in a lubricant film formation in textured conformal contacts. For exploring of the lubricant film formation, the method of optical interferometry is implemented on a pin-on-disc tribometer. That allows to study an influence of a texture on lubricant film thickness and coefficient of friction of textured samples. These samples have different parameters of a texture. On the basis of these effects and the visual image of the contact, the flow of lubricant in the contact area is described. Shallow dimples lead to larger film thickness in elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication regime. They act like a lubricant reservoir. Deep dimples positively affect film thickness in hydrodynamic lubrication regime, where the effect of shallow dimples descend. During experiments, the formation of a cavitation is observed. The cavitation causes a starvation of dimples in many cases. This leads to reducing of the lubricant film thickness. This effect can be eliminated by appropriate parameters of texture in operational conditions of elements.

The diploma thesis is focused on the design and realization of an experimental device. The purpose of device is the simulation of dynamic and kinematic conditions of knee replacement during the walking cycle. The simulator will be used to study the formation of the lubricating film in contact of the femoral component and the polyethylene spacer, and to the cyclic wear tests for knee replacements. First part of thesis is focused on the description of working parameters of knee replacements and analysis of knee joint simulators. The description of conceptual design and selection of the final variation follows. The final design allows simulation of dynamic and kinematic conditions of ISO 14 243-3. Creation of lubricating film is analyzed by the non-contact optical fluorescence microscopy method. The work includes complete drawing documentation, wiring diagram, verification of the functionality of the device and detailed operating instructions.

This master´s thesis deals with the experimental analysis of the coefficient of friction and lubrication film in total knee replacement. The experiments are performed on a knee joint simulator, with an implemented module for measuring friction. To observe film formation, fluorescent microscopy is used. The experiments are mainly focused on a detailed description of the influence of parameters occurring during the gait cycle. This approach should significantly help in describing the tribological processes that occur in the total knee replacement. The results confirm previous investigations in terms of axial load, where the coefficient of friction decreases with the increasing load. In the case of lubrication film, no significant changes are observed. On the contrary, while investigating the influence of SRR, noticeable changes in film formation are observed while the coefficient of friction being unaffected. While describing the whole gait cycle, precise results are obtained only in the first half of the cycle as the second half is accompanied by the occurrence of large deviations from a rapid decrease of load. This work provides a better understanding of the field of lubrication film in total knee replacements. Moreover, thanks to the simultaneous measurement of the coefficient of friction and the observation of the contact area, it is possible to draw better conclusions than if the experiments had been carried out separately.

Diploma thesis describes analysis of influence of surface texturing on non-conformal rubbing surfaces. High speed camera was used to observe the effect of micro-dents of various depths on film thickness under pure rolling and rolling/sliding conditions. It can be concluded from the obtained results that micro-texture of suitable sizes can results in film thickness increase without lubrication film breakdown.