Study on numerical solution of the contact mechanics in gas foil bearings

In spite of the successful application of this oil-free supporting technology in engineering, theoretical researches on static, especially dynamic performances of compliant foil bearing seem rather difficult and far behind experimental investigations because of complexity. One of the most difficult problems to deal with is odelling of contact mechanics problem between bump foil and top foil. The goal of this study is to find the most suitable numerical solution method for the contact mechanics problems between the bump foil and top foil in gas foil bearing. By comparing the characteristics, Lagrange Multiplier Method, Multi-Point Constraint Method and Direct Constraint Method, Direct Constraint Method is considered the most appropriate numerical algorithm for the contact mechanics in gas foil bearings. In solving the contact problem, this algorithm has a good accuracy, and micro-contact status between the bump foil and top foil in gas foil bearing, it has the important significance Of the elastic for the design of the foil bearing.