Numerical investigation of the load capacity of a gas journal bearing of finite length with end seals

The load capacities of eccentric and step bearings are numerically determined and compared as functions of their length for the same rotor velocities and maximum and minimum values of the lubrication gap. The conditions under which the bearing load capacity can be increased by changing the geometry of the gaps formed by the gasdynamic end seals are obtained. The solution is determined by integrating the complete Navier-Stokes equations using the ANSYS software package.