Derivation of Governing Equations For Self-Acting Foil Bearings

Abstract

Contained is the derivation of the equations for the self-acting foil bearing. These equations include the effects of bending stiffness of the tape and of compressibility of the lubricant. They are nonlinear, and the boundary conditions are divided equally between the two ends of the tape. These complications even make obtaining numerical solutions difficult. Linearized solutions are derived for large wrap angles neglecting the bending stiffness of the tape.