Fundamental Characteristics of an Externally Pressurized Thrust Gas Bearing with Surface-Restriction Compensation through Triangular Restricting Grooves

Abstract

It may be practical to apply a marking-off technique for manufacturing the restricting grooves designed on the bearing surface of an externally pressurized gas-lubricated bearing with surface-restriction compensation. The marking-off produces a triangular cross-section of grooves. In this paper, a simple, convenient method is introduced to evaluate the so-called equivalent clearance for the flow along the triangular grooves. then an externally pressurized gas thrust bearing with surface-restriction compensation through triangular grooves is analyzed using this equivalent clearance model. The design criterion of this type of the bearing is discussed from theoretical results of the fundamental bearing characteristics.