Author(s)

FEDERICO COLOMBO, MONA MORADI, TERENZIANO RAPARELLI, ANDREA TRIVELLA, VLADIMIR VIKTOROV

Abstract

The squeeze effect of a gas thrust bearing is calculated using both a distributed parameters (DP) model and a lumped parameters (LP) model. A rectangular thrust bearing with no supply holes is considered in the analysis. In dynamic conditions, pressure values p₁ and p₂ are calculated. In steady-state conditions, these values coincide with ambient pressure p_a. The developed LP model was validated with the DP model for a pad shape ratio (length/width) in the range of 0.5 to 2. Both models are validated in the literature in about a 1D parallel slider. The LP model has the advantage of faster implementation in comparison to the DP model. The LP model is also linearized by using a perturbation method to obtain the analytic expression of the dynamic stiffness. Therefore, it is possible to explain the effect of geometrical parameters on stiffness and damping coefficients.

Keywords

squeeze film air thrust bearing, lumped parameters model, dynamic stiffness