Breshev O. Performance improvements of non-contact direct drives through making adjustable conical air bearings

Thesis is devoted to making adjustable conical air bearings. Its application in different machines allows increase load capacity and reliability, speed extension, reduce mass, overall dimensions and air consumption, secure stable rotary motion in speed wide range due to adjustment of static and dynamic characteristics of direct drives. Mathematical models of single-support and multi-support systems have been designed for study of its characteristics and efficiency of suggested improvements. Function relations between structural, functional, geometric parameters of conical aerostatic systems have been theoretically determined for adjustable air gap that allows change load capacity and dynamic characteristics of non-contact direct drives. Method of parametric conversion of conical bearings to radial and thrust bearings has been suggested. It gives analytical solution of non-contact drive static characteristics. Analytical stability criterion of rotor of single-support system has been determined. Working capacity conditions have been analytically obtained from mass and inertial properties, parameters and characteristics of air-bearing direct drive. Adjustable conical air-bearing pneumatic spindle has been manufactured. Experimental set-up and experimental technique have been designed for validation theoretical results. Design procedure of air-bearing non-contact drives has been engineered. Algorithm of numerical experiment of static characteristics and dynamic properties has been engineered for design decision verification.