Static characteristics of aerostatic porous rectangular thrust bearings

A theoretical analysis of the steady state performance of aerostatic rectangular thrust bearings with porous pads is presented. The equations governing the gas flow through the porous pad and the bearing clearance are solved simultaneously using a finite-difference method to obtain the pressure distribution in the bearing clearance. The load capacity, the mass rate of flow and the static stiffness are calculated numerically for different bearing dimensions and operating pressures and are presented in graphical form. The load capacity predicted for a square bearing correlates with previous results.