An Investigation of the Squeeze Film Between Rotating Annuli

Abstract

The squeeze film between two plane annuli is examined theoretically and experimentally. The theoretical analysis considers the inertia due to the “centrifugal effect” but neglects all other inertia terms. The experimental investigation is by means of a free-falling spinning rotor which is decelerated by the squeeze film. Fluids examined are kerosene, SAE 10 oil, and a low melting point liquid metal. Good agreement between the predicted and actual decay rates is obtained for kerosene but that for the oil and liquid metal is only fair. The theoretical and experimental values of film thickness are in good agreement. The results for the liquid metal suggest the possibility of a thin air film between the rotor and the liquid metal.