On the static performance of aerostatic elements

Porous aerostatic bearings and seals offer several advantages in precision engineering applications. The static performance of aerostatic elements, i.e., bearings and seals, is investigated both experimentally and numerically. This study presents a method, a test setup, and a measurement of the air gap pressure distribution with high spatial and temporal resolution. This study presents experimental and numerical results of the load capacity, air gap height, static stiffness, air consumption, and air gap pressure distribution. The experimental results are compared to a numerical model based on the modified Reynolds equation. Furthermore, boundaries for the operating parameter space of the investigated seal are determined by stiffness and leakage. The experimental results and the numerical model showed good correlation, providing corroborative evidence for the accuracy of the measurement setup and the feasibility of the pressure measurement method.