The design of various types of air bearing for stimulating frictionless environments /

Abstract

Several types of air bearings are discussed and analyzed which can effectively simulate a frictionless environment for testing space vehicle instruments and control systems. A spherical dual-flow bearing, designed for a load of 15 pounds and employing an input pressure of about 4.5 psi, has been operated with an effective coefficient of friction of only 0.00000406. However, unless all externally applied torques as well as the center of gravity of the test fixture are exactly are the bearing's center of gravity of the test fixture are exactly at the bearing's center of rotation, it will precess. This is overcome in a cylindrical dual-flow bearing designed on the same principal. A spherical mono-flow bearing, which will bear loads of 700 and 400 pounds respectively with low input pressures, are also discussed. Plots of theoretical and actual performance are given, and fabrication techniques are described.Accession Number: 62N12191.Document ID: 19620002191."NASA TN D-1100.""Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland.""May 1962."Cover title.Several types of air bearings are discussed and analyzed which can effectively simulate a frictionless environment for testing space vehicle instruments and control systems. A spherical dual-flow bearing, designed for a load of 15 pounds and employing an input pressure of about 4.5 psi, has been operated with an effective coefficient of friction of only 0.00000406. However, unless all externally applied torques as well as the center of gravity of the test fixture are exactly are the bearing's center of gravity of the test fixture are exactly at the bearing's center of rotation, it will precess. This is overcome in a cylindrical dual-flow bearing designed on the same principal. A spherical mono-flow bearing, which will bear loads of 700 and 400 pounds respectively with low input pressures, are also discussed. Plots of theoretical and actual performance are given, and fabrication techniques are described.Mode of access: Internet