Self-levitating sliding air contact

A linear sliding contact with self-lifting capability due to squeeze film action was theoretically investigated. It was found that this type of contact can operate under a wide range of frequency and load conditions. Calculations for frequency of up to 4000 Hz and the mass of up to 800 g indicate that a air film with thickness of a few microns can be created.It is the unsymmetrical pressure distribution in a time period or positive mean film force that makes squeeze air film contact able of self-levitation. The mean film force is equal to the weight supported. A physical rationale for the load-carrying capacity of a squeeze air film is that because of the viscous resistance around contact boundary, the air is repeatedly compressed and expanded in the central part of the contact, which results in a positive mean film force.