Analysis of the Static Performance of Externally Pressurized Gas Journal-Thrust Bearing with Slot Restrictors

The static performance of an externally pressurized gas journal-thrust bearing with slot restrictors was investigated by means of finite element analysis. The second-order partial differential equation, Reynolds equation, was reduced by one-order with weighted residual method in the discretization procedure; therefore the linear interpolation function can be used when the triangle finite elements were applied. Some factors influencing the radial and axial load-carrying capacity of the bearing, such as bearing design parameters, slot width and bearing clearance, are discussed. The interaction between the journal part and thrust part of the bearing was explored. The pressure distribution in the bearing was investigated as well. And the theoretical analytical results were clarified by the experimental ones. As the results, the method established is applicable to the precision analysis of externally pressurized gas journal-thrust bearing with slot restrictors. The axial load-carrying capacity of the bearing is smaller than the radial load-carrying capacity, the slot gap has little effect on the axial load-carrying capacity, while the best radial load-carrying capacity is recorded at an optimal slot gap. However, the axial and radial load-carrying capacities of the bearing are inversely affected by the slot gap near the restrictor bulge. Thus attention should be paid in the bearing design so as to reach balanced axial and radial load-carrying capacities.