PARAMETERS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF A SINGLE-SUPPORT DRIVE SYSTEM WITH TAPERED AEROSTATIC BEARINGS

A theoretical analysis of a single-point drive system with aerostatic bearings is presented in this study, focusing on the selection and modeling of flow control devices, in particular, annular diaphragms. The paper derives a dimensionless operating parameter that relates the pressure drops between the lubricating film and the flow control device, taking into account the properties of the gas and the bearing geometry. A set of standardized formulas is used to determine the stiffness and lift coefficients for subcritical laminar flow conditions. The model takes into account the influence of conical bearing surfaces, which allows calculating radial and axial load capacities, as well as ultimate moment loads. The results demonstrate a significant dependence of performance on the average air gap and discharge pressure. Thus, the simultaneous adjustment of these parameters can increase the bearing load capacity by up to 24 times, while the practical functionality is maintained within a more limited range of approximately three times the variability.