ABSTRACT
Fluid bearings are critical components for machines rotors, mechatronic and metrology systems. The design approach of a fluid bearing is usually based on deterministic static characteristics. However, it is subjected to load and pressure fluctuations or to fluid film gap perturbations induced by defects of the slideways surfaces geometry and of the type of supply inlet (groove, orifice, pocket, etc.). These factors induce excitations in the bearing dynamic response; which may eventually lead to bearing instability. The prediction of the reliability of a fluid bearing under operating conditions is then necessary for applications requiring high accuracy movements or positioning within a micrometer to nanometer repeatability.
