On the Optimization of the Stiffness of Externally Pressurized Bearings

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical studies of the method of optimization of the stiffness of externally pressurized bearings. When an externally pressurized bearing is designed to operate at any given film thickness, it is found that the maximum bearing stiffness can be obtained by proper selection of the value of the ratio of recess to supply pressure, Pr/Ps. While various values of Pr/Ps can be attained by either varying the restrictor constant for a given film thickness or varying the film thickness for a given restrictor constant, the important quantity to vary in determining the optimum condition is the restrictor constant rather than the film thickness. For an incompressible fluid, the Pr/Ps value for which the bearing stiffness is optimized depends only on the type of compensation used, while for a compressible fluid it is slightly affected by exhaust pressure.