Load performances analysis of orifice compensated high-speed externally pressurized spherical gas bearing

The influence of parameters to load performances of a high-speed externally pressurized spherical gas bearing compensated by two-rows of orifices has been studied numerically based on finite element method (FEM). Reynolds equation governing the flow field in the clearance space in spherical coordinates system is transformed into a analogous style in Descartesian coordinates by parameter substitution, and Galerkin weighted residual method is applied to reduce the order of derivatives of the transformed equation. Pressure distribution on the gas-film is obtained by solving of the equation. On the basis of theories, influences of rotating speed, nominal gas-film thickness and supplying pressure to load carrying capacity and stiffness are analyzed. Comparison of performances between hydrostatic and hybrid state of the bearing has also presented.