ABSTRACT
In a gas bearing, a Ÿlm of gas, hereby referred to as the lubricant, separates the rotating component (e.g., a journal) from the stationary part (a housing or stator). Gas Ÿlm bearings oµer advantages of low friction and reduced heat generation. ˜ese advantages enable their successful applications in air-cycle units for airplane cabins, high-precision instruments, auxiliary power units, and high-speed microturbomachinery* (MTM). Gas-bearing systems do not require costly, complex sealing, and lubricant circulation systems, hence ensuring system compactness, low weight, and extreme temperature operation. Furthermore, these bearings eliminate process ¨uid contamination and are environmental-friendly. However, their excessive cost, protected technology, and lack of calibrated predictive tools have prevented widespread use in mass-produced applications.
