Affiliation:
1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College of Swansea
Abstract
The underlying objective of this investigation is to provide a simple model and solution for predicting the behaviour of cavitation and its effects. The analytical cavitation model developed is based on experimental observations and is confined to an incompressible, Newtonian lubricant subjected to a squeezing sinusoidal motion between two parallel, flat circular plates under laminar flow conditions. The combined effects of fluid inertia and cavitation are considered for conditions of viscous and inertia solutions, Re0 = 0 and Re0 ≥ 1 respectively. Both dynamic and steady state behaviour of the growth and collapse of a centrally located single bubble are analysed in which the effects of fluid inertia are examined. The results of analysis are presented in terms of excursion ratio e, Sommerfeld number S, squeeze velocity number N and the normalized bubble parameter α30. The results confirm the formation of a net force due to fluid inertia and cavitation under different flow conditions.