Load Support of Spherical Squeeze-Film Gas Bearings

Abstract

The steady-state ph distribution and the load support capability for a squeeze-film bearing in the form of a sphere, or portions of a sphere, are given for two cases, (a) when the sphere pulsates radially and (b) when the sphere motion is along the polar axis. Both small parameter and finite-difference results are given for loads in the radial and polar directions. It is shown that considerably more load support in both the radial and the polar directions is developed when the sphere pulsates radially. It is further shown that the load support can be improved by removing a portion of the sphere near the pole, thus venting the bearing to the ambient pressure.