Durability and stability analysis of compliant foil journal bearings with elastic support using different surface treatments

The durability and stability characteristics of compliant foil journal bearings with elastic support are discussed in this paper. Using different choices for surface treatment of foil materials and foil element geometry parameters, the start-stop cycle and the rotor-bearing system dynamic characteristics of a compliant foil bearing (CFB) were experimentally studied. This CFB with elastic support can steadily run the turbo expander with a 25.0-mm-diameter rotor revolving at 14.8 104 rpm and has excellent performance in terms of stability and durability. The test results indicate that with suitable bearing structure parameters, foil materials and application of the surface treatment of this type of CFB is appropriate for high-speed turbo machinery.