Optimization of Conical Hydrostatic Bearing for Minimum Friction

Equations for the flow rate, load capacity, and friction torque for a conical hydrostatic bearing were developed. These equations were solved by a digital computer program to determine bearing configurations for minimum friction torque. Design curves are presented that show optimal bearing dimensions for minimum friction torque as a function of dimensionless flow rate for a range of dimensionless load capacity. Results are shown for both laminar and turbulent flow conditions. The results indicate the hydrostatic pocket friction is a significant portion of the total friction torque. However, the bearing dimensions for a minimum friction design are affected very little by inclusion of pocket friction in the analysis. For laminar flow the values of the outerland radius ratio X₃ and outer bearing radius ratio X₄ did not change significantly with increasing friction factor. For turbulent flow, the outer bearing radius ratio X₄ did not change with increasing friction factor; therefore, the value determined for X₄ in the laminar flow case is valid for all turbulent flows.