An Experimental Investigation of the Pressurized Air-Lubricated Journal Bearing in the High-Speed Range

Abstract

Experimental apparatus has been developed and used to study the friction characteristics of an externally pressurized air-lubricated journal bearing. The effects of variations in speed, load, diametral clearance, and inlet pressure have been studied over a wide range at high speeds. The experimental friction coefficients have been compared with those given by the well-known Petroff (1)^† formula, and a reasonable degree of correlation has been found.

Bearing air consumption has been measured and a linear relationship between air-mass flow and inlet pressure is indicated. Curves relating load-carrying capacity to various ratios of inlet pressures are included, the applied loads being carried by hydrostatic flotation in all cases.

The bearings used were plain, cylindrical bushes of diameter in. and length in. Compressed air was admitted through three sets of radial-inlet holes around the bush circumference, pressures being adjusted to keep the shaft and bush as close to concentric as possible.

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