Temperature and displacement fields in brake and clutch systems with thermoelastic instabilities

In brake and clutch systems kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy. Experiments show that the corresponding temperature field can develop unstable periodic structures. The temperature field couples to the displacement field by thermal expansion. Local pressure maxima in the frictional plane and the corresponding maxima in heat generated cause thermoelastic instabilities (TEI). A model describing both effects covers layers of thermoelastic materials for all necessary mechanical components of the system. The set of field equations of each layer can analytically be solved by separation of constants. These solutions must fulfill the boundary conditions e.g. in the sliding plane. A stability discussion yields whether TEI appear or not. As a study a brake system is analyzed comprising two pads pressed against a rotating disk with cooling channels inside. (© 2012 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)