A NEW MASS FLOW-RATE MODEL OF GAS THROUGH ORIFICE-TYPE RESTRICTORS IN AEROSTATIC BEARINGS

This paper proposes a new mathematical model to describe the mass flow-rate characteristics of gas through orifice-type restrictors in aerostatic bearings. In the conventional design of gas-lubricated aerostatic bearings, the mass flow-rate of gas through an orifice-type restrictor is generally derived from a well-known mathematical model, which is originally developed to describe the mass flow-rate property of gas through an ideal nozzle. In this paper, however, a series of CFD-simulations and experiments according to ISO 6358 are carried out and the results show that the mass flow-rate characteristics through an orifice-type restrictor are different from those through an ideal nozzle. Consequently, the conventional model to determine the mass flow-rate of gas through orifice-type restrictors in aerostatic bearings may have to be modified and updated to the proposed new model for more precise design and modeling of the gas-lubricated aerostatic bearings.