Dynamic Characteristics of an Inherently Compensated, Square, Gas Film Bearing

A rectangular gas film bearing with inherently compensated feedholes evenly distributed around the interior is analyzed. The feedhole boundary between the enclosed central region and the exterior perimeter region is modeled as a line source. A periodic load disturbance is imposed on the externally pressurized bearing, and the dynamic pressure distribution is determined by small perturbations of the Reynolds’ equation. The solution for the square bearing is obtained by numerical methods. Design curves are presented for the load capacity, mass flow, stiffness, and damping as a function of squeeze number, external pressure, restrictor coefficient, and source location. A design methodology is presented.