Static characteristic analysis and experimental research of aerostatic thrust bearing with annular elastic uniform pressure plate

Abstract

In this article, an aerostatic thrust bearing with annular elastic uniform pressure plate structure was designed. In order to obtain a relationship between bearing capacity and stiffness of aerostatic thrust bearing designed in this article, first, the stress field mechanics model of the gas thrust bearing was established in the static. Second, deformation control equations of the elastic uniform pressure plate and gas lubrication Reynolds equation were established according to the flow continuity principle. Here, finite element mesh of gas flow field was woven using the technology of grid overlapping and grid stitching. Then, gas–solid coupling control equations were solved using the numerical method. Gas film pressure distribution and gas static bearing capacity of thrust bearing were analyzed. Function relationship between bearing capacity and the stiffness and the thickness of gas film was obtained. Finally, the results of theory analysis and experiment were compared. The results of the comparison can be listed as, under the effect of gas pressure, orifice area and the equilibrium pressure groove depth are changed due to elastic deformation of the elastic uniform pressure plate. The static stiffness of aerostatic thrust bearing with elastic equilibrium pressure groove increased by 30% than the static stiffness of aerostatic thrust bearing with rigid equilibrium pressure groove. The maximum carrying capacity occurred in the gas film thickness of 3.5 µm. The maximum static stiffness appeared in the gas film thickness of 5.5 µm. It can be seen from the comparison results of experiments and theoretical analysis that data results of gas film thickness and the bearing capacity are the same. The feasibility of the theoretical analysis method is validated.