Viscosity of hydraulic oils decreases due to loss reduction and efficiency increase of fluid power systems. However, low viscosity is not always appropriate due to the induction of large leakage and small lubricity. Therefore, a detailed study on the ...
Viscosity of hydraulic oils decreases due to loss reduction and efficiency increase of fluid power systems. However, low viscosity is not always appropriate due to the induction of large leakage and small lubricity. Therefore, a detailed study on the optimum viscosity of hydraulic oils is necessary. In this study, based on the thermohydrodynamic lubrication theory, numerical simulation was conducted using the slipper model of swashplate-type axial piston pumps and motors. The viscosity grades’ (VG) effects of oils on power losses are mainly discussed numerically in fluid film lubrication, including changes in temperature and viscosity. The simulation results reveal that the flow rate increases and the friction torque decreases as VG decreases. The film temperature and power loss were minimised for a specific oil with a VG. The minimum conditions regarding the temperature and loss were different and closed. Under various operating conditions, the film temperature and power loss were minimised, suggesting that an optimum hydraulic oil with a specific VG could be selected for given operating conditions of pressure and speed. Otherwise, a preferable operating condition must be established to determine a specific VG oil.