Incompressible squeeze-film levitation

Journal article (2023)

Authors

M.A.A. Atalla Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
R.A.J. van Ostayen Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
A. Sakes Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
M. Wiertlewski Human-Robot Interaction - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2023 M.A.A. Atalla, R.A.J. van Ostayen, A. Sakes, M. Wiertlewski
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0149501
More Info
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Published Date

2023

Language

English

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology

Abstract

Transverse vibrations can induce the non-linear compression of a thin film of air to levitate objects, via the squeeze-film effect. This phenomenon is well captured by the Reynolds' lubrication theory; however, the same theory fails to describe this levitation when the fluid is incompressible. In this case, the computation predicts no steady-state levitation, contradicting the documented experimental evidence. In this Letter, we uncover the main source of the time-averaged pressure asymmetry in the incompressible fluid thin film, leading the levitation phenomenon to exist. Furthermore, we reveal the physical law governing the steady-state levitation height, which we confirm experimentally.