Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Experiments on Ultrasonic Lubrication Using a Piezoelectrically-assisted Tribometer and Optical Profilometer
Published on: September 28, 2015
Dynamic system model for ultrasonic lubrication in perpendicular configuration.
Sheng Dong1, Marcelo J Dapino1
1Smart Vehicle Concepts Center, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Ultrasonic lubrication, using piezoelectric actuators, significantly reduces friction by superimposing vibrations. A new dynamic system model accurately predicts friction reduction, validated by experiments.
Area of Science:
- Tribology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Ultrasonic lubrication utilizes high-frequency vibrations to reduce friction between sliding surfaces.
- It is often generated using piezoelectric actuators and can be applied in various modes (longitudinal, transverse, perpendicular).
- Understanding ultrasonic lubrication requires a systems approach, considering actuator, surface, and structural dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a dynamic system model for ultrasonic lubrication in the perpendicular mode.
- To investigate the influence of various parameters on friction reduction in ultrasonic lubrication.
- To correlate electrical impedance, system vibrations, and friction reduction.
Main Methods:
- A modified pin-on-disc tribometer was used for experimental measurements.
- A lumped-parameter dynamic model of the tribometer was developed.
- An electromechanical model for the piezoelectric transducer and a "cube" model for contact mechanics were integrated.
- Electrical impedance, system vibrations, and friction were measured and simulated.
Main Results:
- The dynamic system model showed strong agreement with experimental data, with errors below 10%.
- A parametric study explored the effects of driving voltage, macroscopic velocity, driving frequency, and signal waveform.
- The model successfully predicted electrical impedance, system vibrations, and friction reduction.
Conclusions:
- The developed dynamic system model provides an accurate framework for analyzing perpendicular-mode ultrasonic lubrication.
- The study highlights the importance of a systems-level approach for understanding ultrasonic lubrication.
- The findings offer insights into optimizing ultrasonic lubrication parameters for enhanced friction reduction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Design Example: Deciding Thickness of Lubricating Fluid in a Shaft
To calculate the required thickness of the lubricant layer, the tangential velocity at the shaft's surface must first be determined. This velocity is calculated by converting the rotational speed to angular velocity...
Steady, Laminar Flow Between Parallel Plates
Thin-Walled Hollow Shafts
Mechanical Systems
Hydrostatic Pressure Force on a Curved Surface
Damped Oscillations
Although friction and other non-conservative...

