Numerical study on tilting pad journal gas bearing with variable stiffness springs

Tilting pad journal gas bearing (TPJGB) with variable stiffness springs has been studied numerically. Elastic shims and displacement restriction component are introduced to realize the function of the variable stiffness springs. With different loads, the compliant component can be modeled as a cantilever beam or a combination of simply supported beam with moment at fixed end. This numerical solution couples the hydrodynamic fluid lubrication Reynolds equation with the deflections of the shims iteratively. The bearing performance with variable stiffness compliant shims has been studied with different bearing numbers. With variable stiffness compliant components, the bearing can provide mild stiffness under light load and higher stiffness under heavier load; the rotor and pad can move coherently. Therefore, the new structure possesses a wider operation range, namely high adaptability.