Radialer Spalt, beispielsweise einer Strömungsmaschine

Such a gap (4) is arranged between a rotating first component in the nature of a shaft (1) and a second component in the nature of a bushing (3) and at its ends is exposed to a pressure gradient in a surrounding fluid. The gap (4) consequently has a high pressure side (5) and a low pressure side (6). The second component is provided with openings (8), independent of one another and distributed over the circumference, by way of which openings a flow of highly pressurised fluid flows into the gap (4) in order to improve the quiet running of the rotating component. In order to reduce the vibrations and stabilise the shaft (1), the openings (8) are arranged so that the flow fed by way of the openings (8) is added as stabilising flow (9) to a gap flow (7) flowing from the high pressure side (5) to the low pressure side (6) and the pressure in the stabilising flow (9) is selected so that both flows emerge from the gap (4) solely on the low pressure side (6). Owing to the support action a gap (4) designed in this way increases the quiet running of the rotating component and is suitable for use under increased stressing. The invention may be used in particular in axial thrust-relieving devices.