Dynamic Behavior of a Hydrostatic Thrust Bearing.

This study leads to a determination of the dynamic coefficients (stiffness and damping) of a hydrostatic thrust bearing with allowance for the compressibility of the fluid in the pad. Taking this into account involves a dependence of the dynamic coefficients on the excitation force frequency. The results show the existence of a threshold characterized by a particular value of the quotient XP//th//c/h//o (X equals the compressibility coefficient of the fluid, P//t equals the feed pressure, h//c equals the pad depth, h//o equals the lubricant film thickness), at which the dynamic coefficients are independent of the excitation force. At values below the threshold the stiffness increases and the damping decreases with an increase in frequency. A reverse behavior is noted at values above the threshold.