Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Gas-Lubricated, Pivoted-Pad Journal Bearings

This paper presents some of the theoretical predictions and experimental results for the steady-state characteristics of a gas-lubricated, pivoted-pad journal bearing of finite length. An analytical expression for the prediction of load-carrying capacity for these bearings is developed from numerical computer solutions. Sample calculations are presented to show how the theoretical data may be utilized in the design of an actual pivoted-pad bearing. Improvements over previous approximate theories are discussed.