On the analysis of aerostatic thrust bearings with the differential quadrature method

Abstract

This paper presents a numerical approach to analyze the performance of aerostatic thrust bearings based on the differential quadrature method. The Reynolds equation of aerostatic thrust bearings is firstly discretized as a series of algebraic equations by the differential quadrature method and the pressure distribution is calculated with the discretized equations invoking the boundary conditions. Analytical approximation of Heaviside step function and a multi-domain technique are then introduced to resolve the discontinuous problem of grooved aerostatic bearings. Numerical solutions are obtained for two types of aerostatic thrust bearings. The mass flow rate, load capacity, and stiffness predicted by these solutions are further compared with corresponding analytical, finite difference method and computational fluid dynamics solutions. It is demonstrated that the differential quadrature method has high efficiency and accuracy for the solution of aerostatic thrust bearings.