Comparison between the effects of single-pad and double-pad aerostatic bearings with pocketed orifices on bearing stiffness

• Build a model of double-pad aerostatic bearing.
• Provide bearing stiffness based on the given loads for the bearing design, which is not readily available in the literatures.
• Comparisons of the bearing performance between single-pad and double-pad aerostatic bearing.
• A proper design of double-pad aerostatic bearing can provide better stiffness than single-pad aerostatic bearing.

This study compares the stiffness of the single-pad and the double-pad aerostatic bearings with pocketed orifices. The stiffness comparison is based on the given loads, which provide useful information for bearing design. Bearing design parameters include supply pressure, pocket size, orifice design, and applied load. Therefore, the analysis of double-pad aerostatic bearings is complex because of the independent design of upper and lower bearings. Results show that a double-pad aerostatic bearing with the same upper and lower bearing is not the best design and that double-pad aerostatic bearings have higher stiffness than the single-pad aerostatic bearings.