Simulation-Based Analysis of the Gas Bearing Utilizing Traveling Waves

Abstract

Aerostatic bearings are utilized in a variety of precision devices to eliminate viscous friction between moving parts for realizing high accurate motion and supporting load at zero speed. However, in practice external pressurized source is necessary to realize the aerostatic bearing, which sometimes leads to difficulty in some medical and aero applications within tightly sealed containers. In order to tackle this problem, an innovative principle bearing, which utilizes traveling waves, has been proposed in previous paper. In order to theoretical analyze the principle and numerical predict the performance of the gas bearing utilizing traveling waves, a numerical model based on 2-dimenssional Navier-stocks Equations with neglecting gravitational force is developed in this paper. The equations are solved discretely by dynamically meshing the isotropic 2D model and updating the boundary conditions. It reveals that the gas film force varies with a nonzero average value that can be utilized to realize a non-contact gas bearing. The effect of driving voltage and frequency, and the bearing clearance height on the average film force is clarified by simulations. The proposed bearing design is ought to eliminate drawbacks of conventional hydrostatic bearings such as supply of external pressure source, use of compressor, and tubes while still achieving comparable static and dynamic capabilities.