Engagement behavior of lubricated porous annular disks. Part I: Squeeze film phase — surface roughness and elastic deformation effects

The lubricated clutch engagement behavior of two annular disks, one of which is covered with a layer of porous material, was analyzed. The engagement model dealt with was postulated to consist of three phases: squeeze film phase, mixed asperity contact phase and consolidating contact phase. In the squeeze film phase, the porous material is considered to be elastically deformable and to have a rough surface. Solutions of pressure distribution, load capacity and film thickness versus time have been obtained for various geometric, material and operating parameters. In the paper following (Part II) the consolidating phase behavior was analyzed based on the theory of poroelasticity, and comparison was made between analysis and experiment at squeeze film and consolidating contact phases indicating good qualitative agreement. The investigation of mixed asperity contact phase is not yet completed.