Application of elastic variable-section pressure-equalizing groove in the structural design of high-stiffness aerostatic thrust bearing

The concept of elastic variable-section pressure-equalizing groove is proposed. And based on the concept, it is proposed to realize the combination action of variable-section pressure-equalizing groove with variable flow-controller by an elastic circular sheet, and the elastic circular sheet is used in the structural design of thrust bearing. In the thrust bearing, the variable-section pressure-equalizing groove acts together with rigid pressure-equalizing groove. The detection results of the elastic deformation of the elastic circular pressure-equalizing groove of the new aerostatic thrust bearing show that, the width and the depth of the pressure-equalizing groove all will produce the variations to meet requirements with the change of the designed pressure, which shows that the design and the manufacture of the structure are very successful. The measurement results of the load performance of the new aerostatic thrust bearing show that, the stiffness of the aerostatic thrust bearing is higher everywhere in the detection range, and it can reach to 150 N/μm. The bearing may be used in the situation of greater load variation, and therefore, it will have good application prospects.