Numerical investigation on the static performance of aerostatic journal bearings with different pocket shapes by the finite-element method

Abstract

In this work, to improve the static behavior of aerostatic journal bearings, we examine the effect of pockets with different shapes, including the square, rectangular 1, rectangular 2, and circular, manufactured on the surface of the aerostatic journal bearing. The effects of the pocket shapes, pocket area [Formula: see text], eccentricity ratio ɛ, orifice diameter df, average gas film thickness h0, and misalignment angles [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on the static performance are investigated using simulations. The Reynolds equation is solved by the finite-element method in this work. Simulations reveal that the pocket area [Formula: see text], eccentricity ratio ɛ, gas film thickness h0, orifice diameter df, and misalignment angles [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have a significant influence on the load force F and the stiffness K. In general, rectangular 2 pocket bearings are found to perform somewhat better than bearings with other pocket shapes, with the pocket depth set to one-half of h0, when the pocket area [Formula: see text] varies from one-twelfth to one. The pocket area [Formula: see text] should be set according to the average gas film thickness h0 and the orifice diameter df to achieve a better static performance for the bearings. For bearings operated with misalignment angles [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], different pocket areas [Formula: see text] should be set according to the pocket shapes for the optimal design.