Compliant hybrid gas journal bearing using integral wire mesh dampers

TLDR: In this article, a compliant hybrid gas journal bearing with an integral wire mesh damper is proposed to provide low damping and low load capacity characteristics that are inherent in compliant air foil bearing designs, while retaining the compliance to changes in rotor geometry.

Abstract: A compliant hybrid gas journal bearing includes compliant hybrid bearing pads having a hydrostatic recess and a capillary restrictor for providing a flow of pressurized gas to the bearing The bearing also includes an inner rim adjacent the bearing pads, an outer rim and a damper bridge between the inner and outer rims The damper bridge has an axial length that is less than an axial length of the bearing pads and the outer rim to form a damper cavity on each side of the damper bridge An integral wire mesh damper is situated within the damper cavity on each side of the damper bridge Integral centering springs are located between the inner and outer rims to provide radial and rotational compliance to the bearing pads The oil-free bearing design addresses the low damping and low load capacity characteristics that are inherent in present day compliant air foil bearing designs, while retaining the compliance to changes in rotor geometry