초록
Air-dynamic bearings are increasingly used in supporting small high-speed rotating bodies. This study investigates the effects of design parameters on the axial stiffness of spiral-grooved air bearings of various curvatures. Design parameters are fundamental clearance, groove depth, and bearing number. The pressure distribution at the clearance between the stator and rotor of the bearing is obtained by solving the Reynolds equation, and the supporting load and the axial linear stiffness are calculated from the pressure distribution. It is found that a larger curvature increases the axial linear stiffness more and that there exist an optimal groove depth for the linear stiffness of the air bearing. It is also found that the linear stiffness has a linear relationship with the bearing number.
