The One-Dimensional Optimum Hydrodynamic Gas Slider Bearing

Abstract

Bounded variable methods of the calculus of variations are used to determine the optimum or maximum load capacity hydrodynamic one-dimensional gas slider bearing. A lower bound is placed on the minimum film thickness in order to keep the load finite, and also to satisfy the boundary conditions. Using the Weierstrass-Erdmann corner conditions and the Weierstrass E-function it is found that the optimum gas slider bearing is stepped with a convergent leading section and a uniform thickness trailing section. The step location and the leading section film thickness depend upon the bearing number and compression process considered. It is also shown that the bearing contains one and only one step. The difference in the load capacity and maximum film pressure between the isothermal and adiabatic cases increases with increasing bearing number.