Pressure Distribution in Various Chamber Shapes of an Aerostatic Thrust Bearing Orifice under High Rotational Speeds

Authors

  • Tayeb Trari Laboratory of Aeronautics and Propulsion Systems, Faculty of Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of Oran - Mohammed Boudiaf, B.O. Box 1505, El-M’Naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria | Tissemsilt University- Ahmed Ben Yahia Elwancharissi, Tissemsilt, Algeria
  • Faiza Ghezali Structural and Solid Mechanics Laboratory (LMSS), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Djillali liabes, BP 89,22000, Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria
  • Abdelkrim Benlefki Laboratory of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of Oran - Mohammed Boudiaf, B.O. Box 1505, El-M’Naouer, 31000.Oran, Algeria | Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Tissemsilt University- Ahmed Ben Yahia Elwancharissi, Tissemsilt, Algeria
  • Tayeb Yahiaoui Laboratory of Aeronautics and Propulsion Systems, Faculty of Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of Oran - Mohammed Boudiaf, B.O. Box 1505, El-M’Naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria
Volume: 15 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 24362-24369 | August 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.10968

Received: 16 March 2025 | Revised: 9 April 2025 | Accepted: 15 April 2025 | Online: 23 May 2025


Corresponding author: Faiza Ghezali

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the impact of air film thickness and chamber shape on the performance characteristics of an aerostatic thrust bearing operating at ultra-high rotational speeds, including pressure distribution, mass flow rate, load capacity, and stiffness. A three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) analysis using the SST-kω model is employed to study the effect of supply pressure on various operational and geometric parameters. A comparison between the numerical simulation and experimental data was conducted for chamber shape A to verify the model's robustness. Both approaches demonstrated good agreement. Pressure distribution and mass flow were examined across different chamber geometries, revealing the presence of inertia effects and gas vortices, which diminish as the air film thickness increases. Further investigation showed that the load capacity of the aerostatic thrust bearing decreases slightly as the rotational speed increases. Additionally, the numerical results indicate significant variations in the performance of the aerostatic thrust bearing depending on the geometry of the orifice chamber.

Keywords:

chamber shapes, aerostatic bearing, film thickness, rotational speed

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How to Cite

[1]
T. Trari, F. Ghezali, A. Benlefki, and T. Yahiaoui, “Pressure Distribution in Various Chamber Shapes of an Aerostatic Thrust Bearing Orifice under High Rotational Speeds”, Eng. Technol. Appl. Sci. Res., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 24362–24369, Aug. 2025.

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