Physical models, theory and radical improvement of the most important features of gasdynamic bearings and non-contact seals

A model of gasdynamic gas bearing and non-contact seal with congruent spiral grooves of different depth on both bearing surfaces, is described. General theory of new model including well-known Whipple-Pan-Vohr-Malanoski’s theory as a special case for usual spiral-grooved gas bearings, is elaborated. Problems of new model geometric parameters optimisation are formulated and solved on maximum of load capacity, stiffness and excess pressure. It is proved that optimum geometry with identical spiral grooves on both bearing surfaces is an optimal. Model with such geometry is called a binary one. It is shown that as to the main power features, binary self-acting gas bearing and non-contacting seals are 60 % as effective as the best world-known analogues of other types, while their moment of resistance is by about 5% lower.