Air Foil Bearings Explained: Design, Manufacturing, and Applications

Описание: 🔧 AIR FOIL BEARINGS EXPLAINED | Rotor Dynamics 101
In this video, we explore the design, function, and real-world application of air foil bearings — including both radial and thrust bearing types. You'll learn about the key components such as top foil, bump foil, and foil springs, and see how these bearings work in high-speed, oil-free environments like blowers, microturbines, and aerospace systems.

We'll cover:
✅ CAD model previews for radial, thrust, and foil spring designs
✅ How gas foil bearings generate lift
✅ Wear patterns from repeated start/stop cycles
✅ The importance of rotation direction and mirrored geometry
✅ Pros and cons of using air bearings
✅ Load capacity and how to calculate unit loading

📥 Download CAD Models & Drawings:
🔗 https://rotordynamics-shop.fourthwall...
🔗 https://rotordynamics-shop.fourthwall...

📧 Have questions? Feel free to email me directly.
[email protected]

The video discusses:

Components and Structure: It explains the different types of foils used, such as top foil, bump foil, and bottom foil, and their functions [00:51]. It also details how these components are assembled within the bearing housing [01:20].

Manufacturing Methods: The video touches upon methods for manufacturing bump foils, including the use of dye tools [01:54], and mentions advanced designs that utilize foil springs instead of bump foils [02:09].

Operational Principles: It describes how air foil bearings work, focusing on the "wedge effect" that creates a thin gas film to support the shaft during high-speed operation [04:13].

Advantages and Disadvantages: The video highlights the benefits, such as low power consumption and suitability for continuous use, as well as drawbacks like wear during startup and shutdown, and lower load capacity compared to traditional bearings [04:41].

Applications: It provides examples of where air foil bearings are commonly used, including high-speed blowers in water treatment plants, micro gas turbines, and aerospace air cycling machines [06:27].

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About the presenter:
• Recipient of the ASME Burt L. Newkirk Award.
• Recipient of the ASME Turbo Expo Best Paper Award (Structures and Dynamics Committee).
• Recipient of the Best Paper Award from International Rotor Dynamics Conference - IFToMM.
• Recipient of the ASME IGTI Young Engineer Award.
• Ph.D.
• American (US citizen)
• Email: [email protected]
• LinkedIn:   / rotordynamics  
• Twitter:   / rotordynamics1