Externally pressurized gas bearings: A comparison between two supply holes configurations

Radial vibration of a vertical rotor with externally pressurized gas bearings is analyzed. The time-dependent Reynolds equation is solved together with the journal equation of motion to obtain the response characteristics of the bearing system. The bearings are supplied with either one or two sets of supply orifices. Stiffness and flow rate are compared for both cases. Stability maps are obtained at different supply pressures and with different supply orifice diameters. The mass range from orbital stability to instability is studied as a function of supply hole downstream pressure level.