Development of Compliant-Mounted Gas Bearings for a High-Speed Turbomachine

This paper describes the analysis, design and development of compliant-mounted gas lubricated journal and thrust bearings for supporting a 12 lb, 93,500 rpm, turboalternator rotor. Component testing of the bearings demonstrated excellent load capacity and start-stop capability. It was found that lift off could be achieved at low speed (400 rpm) and under high unit loads (7 psi). Simulator tests were accomplished to speeds of 60,000 rpm. Full speed testing was aborted by a journal bearing failure, due to a blockage of cooling-air flow.