| Abstract: | This paper presents a comprehensive review of developments in the design and application of hydrostatic and hybrid journal bearing systems during the last few decades. Revolutionary changes have taken place in the applications of hydrostatic and hybrid journal bearings, from very low‐speed radar to very high‐speed turbo‐machinery and ultra‐precision machine tools requiring high stiffness to improve accuracy. Hydrostatic and hybrid bearings are of interest because of their potential at very high operating speed and heavy load‐carrying capacity. This paper also outlines the analyses done of these types of journal bearings in practical application, which has led to improved bearing design. This review critically discusses the parameters that significantly affect the static and dynamic performance of a journal bearing. This review includes coverage of recent publications in the literature pertaining to hydrostatic and hybrid journal bearings focusing on the influence of parameters such as bearing geometry, supply pressure, flow control devices, fluid compressibility, fluid inertia, journal misalignment, bearing flexibility, surface roughness, and thermal effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
