Numerical Simulation of Aerostatic Bearing Stiffness, Damping and Critical Frequency Properties Using Linear Stability Analysis

Abstract

Reynolds equation for aerostatic bearing is numerically solved to obtain the stiffness, damping and critical frequency characteristics. The inertia and critical frequency are simulated as a function of bearing number and nozzle restriction number. The Reynolds equation is resolved for given dynamic properties of vibration. The numerical modeling is obtained using finite volume method. Numerical stability analysis for aerostatic bearing system is used to obtain the optimized design parameters. The variation in bearing stiffness, damping and critical frequency parameters with frequency of rotation is obtained numerically. The stability analysis depicts the variation in critical inertia parameters increases with frequency of rotation. Further, the eccentricity, which determines the shift of journal location from the bearing center, also influences the stability characteristics. It is further required to establish more detailed relation with observed frequency of vibration and design parameters.