Abstract
A slot restrictor air journal bearing has high load capacity and high stiffness. The stability characteristics of the slot restrictor air journal bearing are studied theoretically and experimentally to forecast and to prevent the whirl instability. As for the high speed rotating machinery, the instability called'whirl'occurs when the rotor rotates at a speed more than twice the resonant speed. Once the whirl occurs, rubbing contact between the journal and the bearing occurs mostly and the bearing-rotor system is destroyed ultimately. Therefore, the forecasting and prevention of the occurrence of whirl instability is a very important subject especially to develop highly efficient high speed rotating machinery. The bearing with the slot restrictor that varies about circumferential direction is used for the purpose of the prevention of whirl instability.
