Test on static and temperature characteristics of gas foil bearing

A test rig was set up to check the static characteristics and temperature characteristics of the foil gas radial bearing. After applying different load and speed on the bearing, the bearing take off speed, friction moment and bearing temperature were measured respectively. Then, the bearing static characteristics and temperature characteristics in different load and speed were analyzed. Results showed that, since there was no gas film in the start-stop stage, the foil gas bearing friction torque peak appeared larger, but when reaching a certain speed (take off speed), the friction torque would drop to a pole small value, and the steady-state after take-off speed bearing torque increased with the applied load and speed. In addition, the bearing temperature stabilized at a certain temperature in the stable operation stage. The bearing temperature rise was very small and increased approximately linearly with the speed and load.