Current knowledge of the lubrication requirements of ball bearings operating in the EHD regime coupled with the fact that, for such operation ball separation is unnecessary makes possible, for the first time, a fully coherent analytical bearing design. This bearing design requires only a reliable lubricant delivery /storage system able to deliver a continuous low flow directly to the ball race contacts. The thin films of fresh lubricant required for healthy contacts can be provided, for a given life time requirement, from a centrifugally pressurized reservoir controlled by flow restrictors. The innovation embodied in this proposal will expand on the development of flow restrictors. The elaborate machining and difficult characterization of the previous method render the process non- reproducible. Various fabrication methods to produce interfacial surface conditions together with the possible use of controlled porosity media will be examined. Flow tests with restrictors will be performed and evaluated for simplicity and repeatability. A straw set of performance requirements, including flow rate and life, will be generated for a typical space application and a cartridge design will generated to meet these requirements.Commercial Applications:Space mechanisms, which require stable performance and long term reliability, such as, momentum and reaction wheel assemblies; scanners; control moment gyros; and filter wheels.Note: no official Abstract listing exists of selected NASA Phase II SBIR projects for this year. Hence, this abstract is modified by idi from relevant Phase I data. The specific Phase II work statement and objectives may differ.
