Compressible Squeeze Films and Squeeze Bearings

Abstract

Experimental agreement with a finite-difference solution of the isothermal squeeze film equation was obtained for steady-state sinusoidal squeeze motion of parallel, coaxial disks. At low squeeze number, the film force is in phase with the velocity; at high squeeze number, with the displacement. Compressibility effects at high squeeze number introduce a superambient mean film pressure, so that it is possible to operate a gas bearing on squeeze effects alone. Thrust bearings, spherical bearings, and journal bearings have been successfully operated as squeeze bearings, using both electromagnetic and piezoelectric devices to generate the squeeze motion.