A simplified FEM analysis on the static performance of aerostatic journal bearings with orifice restrictor

Abstract

This paper puts forward a simplified FEM based on MATLAB PDE tool to investigate the static performance of aerostatic journal bearings. The pressure distribution equation is transformed into a standard elliptic equation, the boundary conditions and coefficients of the transformed equation are also confirmed by contrasting it with the standard elliptic equation. Then the effects of bearings structural parameters and external supply pressure on the film pressure distribution, load capacity and static stiffness are studied. The film pressure distribution changes significantly with the eccentricity ratio, and an eccentricity range corresponding to the optimal stiffness is also confirmed. Finally, an experimental platform with reversal structure is applied to reduce the measurement error, the maximum relative error between the results of simulation and experimental result is 11.54%.