Non-Dimensional Parameters of a Membrane-Type Restrictor in an Opposed Pad Hydrostatic Bearing for High Static Stiffness

Mohit Agarwal

Abstract: The analysis described in this article shows that the performance of a hydrostatic bearing can be improved over a certain range of load capacity if the design parameters of the restrictor set-up are properly chosen. An opposed pad bearing is treated as a bearing frame which consist of two single pad bearings arranged on the opposite side of the frame. The dimensionless parameters include Dimensionless membrane stiffness and Design Restriction Ratio. When the Bearing Clearance Ratio is almost constant within a particular load range, the stiffness of the bearing should theoretically approach infinity. It was derived that for such condition, the Dimensionless Membrane stiffness is constant i. e.1.33. The design restriction ratio should be chosen differently for lower and higher loading conditions for high static stiffness.

Keywords: Hydrostatic bearing, Membrane restrictor, Membrane, Opposed Pad, Diaphragm