EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON GAS FOIL BEARINGS WITH POLYMER COATING AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE

Abstract

As demand for high-performance fluid-flow machines (including micro-turbines) increases across the globe, new non-conventional bearing systems are needed. In the last years, specialized technical solutions involving the use of gas foil bearings have been progressively introduced. The application of carefully selected, thin foils as key parts of foil bearings ensures stable operation of the rotor, which is supported by such bearings, even at very high rotational speeds. The article discusses the tests performed on the foil bearings incorporating a friction relieving polymer coating. The research was conducted on an advanced test rig allowing the experiments to be run at high speeds and elevated temperatures, which is in conditions that are typical for micro-turbine operation. The measurements of bearing components’ temperature and vibration levels were carried out at various rotational speeds. The tested bearings were also assessed from the point of view of wear and durability. Conducted research demonstrated that the carefully selected materials that were used to manufacture foil bearings’ key components have successfully contributed to achieving reliable operation within a wide range of rotational speeds, providing very good dynamic properties for the rotor.