Final Report Summary - ALM (Advanced Lubrication Modelling)
SUMMARY OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES
To develop and implement sophisticated mathematical models and methods that may be used to facilitate the fundamental understanding about mechanisms connected to the lubrication process of various applications such as, bearings, gears, cam-mechanisms etc.
To deliver computational tools that enable prediction of performance of such tribological device, in terms of friction, wear and film formation, that helps improve energy efficiency prolong service life and decrease the environmental impact.
In summary, the project has:
- increased the fundamental understanding of the lubrication process.
- contributed to the development of sophisticated tools that may be used in the design process of tribological applications.
- helped improving energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact
- formed a solid foundation for future research.
WORK PERFORMED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT
The work performed in this project has been focussed on modelling and simulation of lubrication processes. Much of the work has been devoted to the establishment of the “Luleå Multiscale Lubrication Model”. The work has been successful and already got very good recognition within the field. It is a platform where the friction arising in the contacting interfaces in various mechanical components can be studied. The research has covered the whole range from developments in mathematics to development of new products for our industrial partners. For example, it has been used while developing a new hydraulic engine where it has been used to greatly reduce the power losses. According to Bengt Liljedahl – the Manager for R&D at Hägglunds Drives (Bosch Rexroth), it has enabled power loss reductions as high as up to 80%. An example of a more fundamental type of contribution is the paper “Multiscale homogenization of a class of nonlinear equations with applications in lubrication theory and applications” by Almqvist et al. published in Journal of Function Spaces and Applications, 2011.
MAIN RESULTS ACHIEVED SO FAR
Since the project started in June 2010 the principal researcher Andreas Almqvist has achieved 23 scientific publications; 14 journal, 7 conference papers, 1 Research report and 1 Encyclopaedia article.
In November 2011 he received the Docent distinction and since February 2012 he got a permanent position as Associate Professor at Luleå University of Technology.
During these three years Andreas has been engaged in organisation of two international conferences: Nordtrib 2010 - The 14th Symposium on Tribology (member of the organising committee) and ITS 2013 – The 3rd International Tribology Symposium of IFToMM (chair of the organising committee).
Good experience in tutoring has also been gained by being the co-supervisor for 5 and the main supervisor for 1 PhD students during the course of the project.
POTENTIAL IMPACT AND USE (INCLUDING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THE WIDER SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT SO FAR)
The versatility of the simulation tool package developed has already been proven by the successful application in the design of modern hydraulic motors and in the development of the power cylinder unit in heavy duty diesel engines. By reducing the friction the desired energy efficiency increase can be achieved. Moreover, reducing friction almost always leads to less wear. This is very in line with the increasing societal demand on energy efficiency and development of sustainable products.
To develop and implement sophisticated mathematical models and methods that may be used to facilitate the fundamental understanding about mechanisms connected to the lubrication process of various applications such as, bearings, gears, cam-mechanisms etc.
To deliver computational tools that enable prediction of performance of such tribological device, in terms of friction, wear and film formation, that helps improve energy efficiency prolong service life and decrease the environmental impact.
In summary, the project has:
- increased the fundamental understanding of the lubrication process.
- contributed to the development of sophisticated tools that may be used in the design process of tribological applications.
- helped improving energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact
- formed a solid foundation for future research.
WORK PERFORMED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT
The work performed in this project has been focussed on modelling and simulation of lubrication processes. Much of the work has been devoted to the establishment of the “Luleå Multiscale Lubrication Model”. The work has been successful and already got very good recognition within the field. It is a platform where the friction arising in the contacting interfaces in various mechanical components can be studied. The research has covered the whole range from developments in mathematics to development of new products for our industrial partners. For example, it has been used while developing a new hydraulic engine where it has been used to greatly reduce the power losses. According to Bengt Liljedahl – the Manager for R&D at Hägglunds Drives (Bosch Rexroth), it has enabled power loss reductions as high as up to 80%. An example of a more fundamental type of contribution is the paper “Multiscale homogenization of a class of nonlinear equations with applications in lubrication theory and applications” by Almqvist et al. published in Journal of Function Spaces and Applications, 2011.
MAIN RESULTS ACHIEVED SO FAR
Since the project started in June 2010 the principal researcher Andreas Almqvist has achieved 23 scientific publications; 14 journal, 7 conference papers, 1 Research report and 1 Encyclopaedia article.
In November 2011 he received the Docent distinction and since February 2012 he got a permanent position as Associate Professor at Luleå University of Technology.
During these three years Andreas has been engaged in organisation of two international conferences: Nordtrib 2010 - The 14th Symposium on Tribology (member of the organising committee) and ITS 2013 – The 3rd International Tribology Symposium of IFToMM (chair of the organising committee).
Good experience in tutoring has also been gained by being the co-supervisor for 5 and the main supervisor for 1 PhD students during the course of the project.
POTENTIAL IMPACT AND USE (INCLUDING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THE WIDER SOCIETAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT SO FAR)
The versatility of the simulation tool package developed has already been proven by the successful application in the design of modern hydraulic motors and in the development of the power cylinder unit in heavy duty diesel engines. By reducing the friction the desired energy efficiency increase can be achieved. Moreover, reducing friction almost always leads to less wear. This is very in line with the increasing societal demand on energy efficiency and development of sustainable products.