Pneumatic stability analysis of single-pad aerostatic thrust bearing with pocketed orifice

The pneumatic hammer phenomenon and pneumatic stability of a single-pad aerostatic thrust bearing with pocked orifice were investigated numerically. A time-dependent dynamic model for pneumatic stability analysis of the bearing was established with taking the pocket volume and the mass flow difference between the pocket inlet and outlet into account. The numerical prediction indicates that the delay effect is an important reason for the pneumatic hammer phenomenon. With considering the delay effect, an in-depth explanation for the pneumatic hammer phenomenon is proposed in this paper. The air compressibility combined with the volume effect in the aerostatic bearing could lead to the delay of pocket pressure change, then resulting in the delay of bearing force change at larger film thickness region. The delay of the bearing force change at larger film thickness region causes the bearing damping to become negative at larger film thickness. The negative damping provides some energy into the aerostatic bearing system at larger film thickness and maintains vibration, which leads to the pneumatic hammer phenomenon.