The effect of rounding radius in bump foil structure on the static performance of foil journal bearings

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of the rounding in bump foil on the static performance of air foil journal bearings. Design/methodology/approach During the study, the bending moment of the new foil structure with rounding is proposed, and the bump foil stiffness is obtained from the elastic deformation energy theory. The validity of the presented foil model is verified through comparison with previous models. The static characteristics of foil bearings such as film thickness and attitude angle are obtained using a fully coupled elastic-gas algorithm and are compared to models with various rounding radius and friction coefficients. Findings There is an optimal rounding radius that makes the stiffness of bump foil maximum. As the static load increases, the minimum film thickness is proportional to the rounding radius but the attitude angle is inversely proportional. The effect of rounding with a large friction coefficient becomes negligible. Originality/value The rounding brings fundamental difference in the structural stiffness and static performance of foil bearings. The results are expected to be helpful to bearing designers, researchers and academicians concerned.