Air Bearings
Air Bearings
(OP)
Hi,
Could anyone please explain to me how air bearings may be used to support a shaft (approx 1" dia) rotating at high speeds (70,000rpm). It seem to me that mechanical bearings would have a limited life at these speeds.
Many thanks.
Could anyone please explain to me how air bearings may be used to support a shaft (approx 1" dia) rotating at high speeds (70,000rpm). It seem to me that mechanical bearings would have a limited life at these speeds.
Many thanks.





RE: Air Bearings
You better give some specific loads
to have any meaningful reply. Sounds
like an interesting question.
RE: Air Bearings
RE: Air Bearings
shaft is approx 100mm long and supports a rotor at each end. one end is an aluminium impeller approx 400g, and the other is an inconel rotor approx 2000g mass. assembly is to be precision machined and balanced in accordance with aerospace standards.
RE: Air Bearings
RE: Air Bearings
Since the bearings are to be use in a prototype, life was not deemed important. We have ended up using some hibrid bearings (stainless cage with ceramic balls).
Any info on non-contact air bearings would, however, still be of interest.
Many thanks,
jmarc.
RE: Air Bearings
http://nelsonair.com/NA_primer.htm
http://www.memagazine.org/backissues/july98/features/foil/foil.html
http://www.loadpoint.co.uk/site2/aboutairbear.html
RE: Air Bearings
That's the information I was after.
RE: Air Bearings
www.newwaybearings.com - Their bushings are the direction I'd have looked for such a project.