Design Of Fluid Film Journal Bearings Containing Continuous 3d Fluid Pathways Which Are Formed By Wrapping A Sheet Containing 2d Through Cut Features

(Cont.) An analytical model was derived to describe the transformation of 3D cylindrical features to 2D through-cut features. Conventional hydrostatic designs and theory were adapted for use in 3DWN bearings. A proof-of-concept was designed, constructed, and tested. Although contact between the shaft and bore was observed during testing, the fluid film stiffness matched theory within 1.6% after accounting for the contact stiffness. The mean bore diameter was measured to be within 0.03% of the mandrel diameter with errors that lie within 5[sigma] of the tolerable error range in the front of the bearing and 2[sigma] in the rear. In a comparison with a conventional hydrostatic bearing of the same size and surface design, the 3DWN cost lOX less.