Experimental Study on the Pressure Distribution of Externally Pressurized Spherical Gas Bearings with Inherent Compensation and Integrated Ball Socket

Externally-pressurized spherical gas-lubricated bearing with inherent compensation and integrated ball socket is a new type spherical gas bearing in applications in attitude control simulators of space vehicles. Pressure profiles measured across the film interface of the present gas bearing are presented. Configuration of the test spherical gas bearing and apparatus is described. Pressures of measuring points in gas film were sensed by digital sensor array, which is linked to tabulations assembled in pressure taps of ball socket. Gap heights were determined by measured flux which was made reconcile to theoretical calculated curves between gas flux and film gap. Measured pressures in center region of ball socket were coincidence with the theoretical calculated values, which indicated that a stagnant air flow is existed actually. Actual pressure of measuring points adjacent to socket periphery are generally lower than the calculated pressure values, because ball socket exhibit bell mouth due to bearings' manufacturing errors. Analysis to errors between experimental pressure values and theoretical pressure values shows that machining errors and model errors is the primary source of the whole error, computational error is minor.