Performance characteristics of rectangular aerostatic thrust bearing by conformal mapping

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the pressure distribution of rectangular aerostatic thrust bearing with a single air supply inlet using the complex potential theory and conformal mapping. Design/methodology/approach The Mobius transform is used to map the interior of a rectangle onto the interior of a unit circle, from which the pressure distribution and load carrying capacity are obtained. The calculation results are verified by finite difference method. Findings The constructed Mobius formula is very effective for the performance characteristics researches for the rectangular thrust bearing with a single air supply inlet. In addition, it is also noted that to obtain the optimized load carrying capacity, the square thrust bearing can be adopted. Originality/value The Mobius transform is found suitable to describe the pressure distribution of the rectangular thrust bearing with a single air supply inlet.