Numerical analysis on the performance characteristics of a new gas journal bearing by using finite difference method

This paper proposes a novel gas journal bearing in which orifices are different in diameter and distribute unevenly. Finite Difference Method (FDM) combined with Linear Perturbation Method (LPM) is used to solve the unsteady-state Reynolds equation of the flow field in the bearing clearance. Moreover, four types of bearing structures are used to discuss the effects of orifices different in diameter and uneven distribution on the bearing performance. The results demonstrate that the new bearing has better static and dynamic performances compared with those of traditional bearing in which orifices are equal in diameter and distribute evenly. Moreover, thin gas film thickness, high supply pressure, and large eccentricity ratio are hopeful for improving load capacity of the new bearing. Furthermore, the stability of the novel bearing is improved if eccentricity ratio is 0.25–0.3.

Static and Dynamic Characteristics of Externally Pressurized Porous Gas Journal Bearing With Four Degrees-of-Freedom

This paper studies the static and dynamic coefficients of an externally pressurized porous gas journal bearing. The finite difference method is used to solve the Reynolds equation of the bearing to obtain the static load capacity. The linear perturbation method is adopted to derive the perturbation equations considering four degrees-of-freedom (4DOF), namely, the translational movements in x and y directions and the rotational movements around x and y directions. The effects of various parameters on the dynamic behaviors of the journal bearing are studied. These parameters include the bearing number, the supply pressure, the feeding parameter, the length-to-diameter ratio, the porosity parameter, the eccentricity ratio, and tilting angles. Simulated results prove that the proposed method is valid in estimating the static and dynamic characteristics of a porous gas journal bearing with 4DOF.

A direct numerical approach to compute the nonlinear rotordynamic coefficient of the noncircular gas journal bearing

Gas bearings are extensively used in several industrial applications to support the rotating load at high speed due to its favorable characteristics. The numerical computation of the gas film damping and stiffness coefficients is a difficult task due to nonlinearity in the Reynolds equation for compressible lubricant. In the present work, a numerical method based on the finite element method is developed for the direct computation of gas film damping and stiffness coefficients. In this method, a double partial differential equation approach has been used to compute the dynamic characteristics. Further, the numerical results presented shows that the bearing ellipticity ratio significantly affects the nonlinear trajectory of the journal.