The Effect of Lubrication on the Vibration of Roller Bearings

Proper lubrication is crucial to ensure smooth operation in machineries. In rolling bearing, the improper lubrication may induce high friction and vibration level due to metal to metal contact between the rolling elements. In this study, the roller bearings with and without lubrication are investigated. the natural surface degradation of the roller bearing is monitored and the surface roughness is measured for the lubricant film thickness calculation. the film thickness is determined by the Hamrock-Dowson equation which showed that the grease lubricated bearing operated under the elastro-hydrodynamic lubrication, with the ratio of lubrication film thickness to the surface roughness of λ in the range of 0.9 to 3.65. the un-lubricated bearing was damaged after 20 minutes whereas the grease lubricated bearing continued to operate for 6600 minutes. the observation under microscope showed that the surface underwent smoothening process where the surface roughness decreases initially (running-in state) followed by roughening at the steady state where the surface roughness increases. At damage, the value of λ = 0.9 can be associated with the high level of the bearing vibration. the increase of vibration level becomes rapid at the critical value of λ = 1.6. As such the overall vibration level of the bearing can be related to the surface degradation and low film thickness

The Effect of Lubrication on the Vibration of Roller Bearings

Proper lubrication is crucial to ensure smooth operation in machineries. In rolling bearing, the improper lubrication may induce high friction and vibration level due to metal to metal contact between the rolling elements. In this study, the roller bearings with and without lubrication are investigated. the natural surface degradation of the roller bearing is monitored and the surface roughness is measured for the lubricant film thickness calculation. the film thickness is determined by the Hamrock-Dowson equation which showed that the grease lubricated bearing operated under the elastro-hydrodynamic lubrication, with the ratio of lubrication film thickness to the surface roughness of λ in the range of 0.9 to 3.65. the un-lubricated bearing was damaged after 20 minutes whereas the grease lubricated bearing continued to operate for 6600 minutes. the observation under microscope showed that the surface underwent smoothening process where the surface roughness decreases initially (running-in state) followed by roughening at the steady state where the surface roughness increases. At damage, the value of λ = 0.9 can be associated with the high level of the bearing vibration. the increase of vibration level becomes rapid at the critical value of λ = 1.6. As such the overall vibration level of the bearing can be related to the surface degradation and low film thickness

A quantitative approach to measure women's sexual function using electromyography: a preliminary study of the Kegel exercise

Background: Currently, the reference standard used to clinically assess sexual function among women is a qualitative questionnaire. Hence, a generalised and quantitative measurement tool needs to be available as an alternative. This study investigated whether an electromyography (EMG) measurement tecnique could be used to help quantify women's sexual function. Material/Methods: A preliminary intervention study was conducted on 12 female subjects, who were randomised into a control (n=6) and an intervention (n=6) group. Intervention involved a set regimen of pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel) and the control group did not have any treatment. All subjects were asked to answer a validated, self-rated Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ). EMG measurements of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and the abdominal muscles were taken from all women at recruitment and 8 weeks after study commencement. Results: After 8 weeks, most of the subjects in the control group did not display any noted positive difference in either PISQ score (4/6) or in their muscle strength (4/6). However, a noted progressive difference were observed in subjects who were placed in the Kegel group; PISQ score (5/6) and muscles strength (4/6). Conclusions: The noted difference in the Kegel group subjects was that if progress is observed in the sexual function, improvement is also observed in the strength of at least 2 types of muscles (either abdominal or PFM muscles). Thus, EMG measurement is a potential technique to quantify the changes in female sexual function. Further work will be conducted to validate this assumption