Analysis of hydrostatic thrust bearings under non-axisymmetric operation

Abstract

Analyses of the pressure distribution, the load capacity and the lubricant flow rate for a laminar flow hydrostatic thrust bearing in a symmetrical operation are presented. In a symmetrical operation the supported surface rotates about an axis parallel to but offset from the bearing axis. These bearings are commonly used as circular saw guides in the forest products industry. Bearing pressure and load and the lubricant flow are strong functions of a non-dimensional bearing number λ, the film thickness variation ε{lunate} and the bearing offset L ̄ from the rotation axis. © 1980.