Static and dynamic performance of laminated gas foil thrust bearing

Analytical model was presented for a novel laminated gas foil thrust bearing. The performance of this thrust bearing was studied by coupling the foil deformation equation and the compressible gas-lubricated Reynolds equation solved by finite difference method(FDM). Due to the variable stiffness characteristic in radial direction and circumferential direction of supported foils, the second wedging effect phenomenon and two pressure peaks were found, and the load capacity was improved compared with traditional gas foil thrust bearings. Bearing load capacity, friction torque and dynamic stiffness all declined with the decrease of minimum film thickness, but dynamic damping changed very little. There was optimum height of wedge to obtain higher load capacity and lower torque, which reduced the loss. Meanwhile, higher dynamic stiffness and higher dynamic damping can be achieved at the optimum height of wedge.