Numerical analysis and experimental study on the microvibration of an aerostatic thrust bearing with a pocketed orifice-type restrictor

Abstract

Large eddy simulation was used to analyze the time-variation flow field in order to study the microvibration of an aerostatic thrust bearing with a pocketed orifice-type restrictor. It was found that the vortex shedding caused air pressure fluctuation, which was directly related to the occurrence of the vibration of the bearing. Furthermore, the influence of bearing parameters on the vibration was studied through numerical analysis and experiments. The results indicated that large eddy simulation could predict the vibration by calculating the air pressure fluctuation inside the bearing. Moreover, the vibration could be reduced if the bearing was featured with a small orifice diameter, a large bearing diameter, a shallow air chamber or a low supply pressure.