Abstract
Although research on the spiral-groove bearing is now being carried out in laboratories throughout the whole world, it is still an unknown type to the practising mechanical engineer. Apart from applications in certain specialized constructions, particularly in the form of gas bearings—carbon dioxide circulators in nuclear reactors and gyroscopes may be mentioned in this connection—it has not yet found its way into practical use. On the one hand this is attributable to the lack of theoretical information about this bearing, cast in the form to which the designer is used, and on the other hand it is because little is known about its possibilities. This is a pity, since the spiral-groove bearing—particularly when lubricated with oil or grease—offers a solution to all sorts of everyday (and more specialized) problems.
In particular, this full-film lubricated bearing is very promising for replacing or supplementing porous bearings and ball bearings.
This paper is specially intended to describe the new practical applications which the author has found for this bearing. Reference is also made to convenient and yet accurate methods of calculating optimum designs, which are available in published form but not yet generally known. An Appendix with a supplementary method for calculating spiral-groove bearings prestressed with elastic elements and grease-lubricated concludes the paper.
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