Externally pressurized gas bearings in a mixed configuration

Abstract

This paper analyses the stabilityof an externally pressurized gas bearing (EPB) in a series-parallel arrangement. This mixed con. guration is an alternative to the rigidly mounted single bearing with no external damping, yielding, as one extreme, a high stiffness, but a low whirl threshold speed. The other extreme is a series bearing arrangement with a full-length externally pressurized sleeve between the journal and the housing, yielding a lower stiffness but a higher whirl threshold speed. The paper shows that a mixed con. guration allows for an increase in whirl threshold speed above that for an equivalent rigidly mounted single bearing but below that for a series arrangement. However, the mixed con. guration is stiffer than the series arrangement.