In an aerostatic restrictor, the presence of friction between the high-pressure air and the aerostatic restrictor wall can lead to non-uniform pressure and temperature distributions of the lubricating air film, which will affect the aerostatic restrictor performance. Therefore, explicating the pressure and temperature distributions of the lubricating air film could help to improve the characteristics and performance of the aerostatic restrictor. In this study, a theoretical model is established for the pressure and temperature distributions in the aerostatic restrictor with double U-shaped pressure-equalizing grooves, which is then compared with simulations, and finally verified by experiments. The results indicate the following. (1) The parameter distributions of the aerostatic restrictor’s air film are affected by the pressure-equalizing grooves and the orifice. (2) The air film parameter distributions are affected by the air source pressure and air film thickness. (3) The air film parameter distribution characteristics obtained from theoretical calculations, simulations, and experiments are consistent, indicating that the theoretical model is effective for studying the flow field of lubricating air film in the aerostatic restrictor. This model can also provide a theoretical basis for designing the orifice and pressure-equalizing grooves of the aerostatic restrictor, as well as selecting the air source pressure and air film thickness.
