Dynamic performance of super micro high speed air bearings

The dynamic performance of micro rotor (radius of 19.85 mm) was numerically and experimentally investigated.In numerical simulation, transient two-way fluid-solid coupling simulation was carried out by using ANSYS. The dynamic process of rotor's position in initial stage under the effects from air bearings was simulated. The results showed that the displacement process of rotor presented a vibration motion with reducing amplitude as the elapse of time and the rotor ultimately stabilized to an equilibrium position. For higher levels of supply pressure of thrust bearing, larger range of displacement of rotor appeared and the rotor spent more time reaching stabilization. Besides, the positive relationship between air bearing gap height and bearing flow rate was revealed in results. In corresponding experiments, the experiment results were in good agreement with simulations. The numerical and experimental results show that the rotor has a greater risk of collision because the range of displacement of rotor is bigger at higher level of supply pressure of thrust bearing. Supply pressure of 70 927 Pa is more suitable for thrust bearing in initial stage.