ANALYSIS OF A CYLINDRICAL BEARING WITH HELICAL GROOVES AND A BRANCHING GAS LUBRICANT FLOW IN VARIOUS OPERATING MODES

A unique radial support that can be exploited in any operating mode of the unit. Is considered. This property is attained by combining the profiled part of the support (spiral grooves) with forced gas injection through the central annular slot. For the working surfaces sliding at a moderate relative velocity the support operates in the suspension mode, and at high velocities - in the purely gasdynamic mode.