Incompressible squeeze-film levitation

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

31 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number241601
Number of pages6
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume122
Issue number24
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Incompressible squeeze-film levitation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this