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The secret of fluid bearings: Why do they achieve virtually zero wear?
With the advancement of technology, various industries are constantly pursuing higher efficiency and stability, and fluid bearings have emerged in this competition. The operating principle of these bearings is very simple: they use a thin film of pressurized liquid or gas to support the load, avoiding direct contact between components. This makes them superior to many other types of bearings in terms of friction, wear and vibration. This article will explore how fluid bearings work, their properties, and reveal the secrets of why they can achieve virtually zero wear.
How Fluid Bearings Work
Fluid bearings can be divided into two types: hydrodynamic bearings and hydrostatic bearings. While hydrodynamic bearings rely on a high-speed rotating shaft (also called a journal) to squeeze out the film, hydrostatic bearings use an external pump to provide the fluid pressure needed for support.
Fluid bearings use non-contact technology, which means there is no friction between moving parts, thus reducing wear and tear.
In hydrostatic or many gas bearings, fluid is pumped into the bearing through pores or a porous material. These types of bearings often require a position control system to adjust the pressure and consumption of the fluid according to speed and load. In contrast, hydrodynamic bearings draw in fluid as they rotate, forming a lubricating wedge-shaped film that supports the load.
Characteristics of fluid lubrication
Fluid lubrication is an effective way to prevent wear and metal contact. This type of lubrication relies particularly on a pre-designed fluid film whose thickness must exceed the sum of the surface roughness. This is critical because film thickness directly affects the coefficient of friction and thus the durability and life of the component.
Fluid lubrication prevents moving metals from coming into contact with each other, preventing wear.
In a running fluid bearing, the thickness of the fluid film decreases as the load increases, and the pressure inside the fluid also increases. These effects work together to help maintain the stability and lubrication of the fluid. The three main types of hydrodynamic lubrication are self-acting, squeeze film, and external pressurized film. The lubricant used can be a liquid or a gas, as long as it has a certain viscosity.
Advantages of Fluid Bearings
Compared with traditional ball bearings, fluid bearings have the following significant advantages:
- Almost no wear, low maintenance requirements and long service life.
- Low noise, especially in hard disk drives, fluid bearings can reduce noise by 20-24 dB.
- Superior carrying capacity and stable performance.
- Strong vibration resistance, suitable for high-speed and high-precision applications.
Challenges of Fluid Bearings
While fluid bearings offer many advantages, they also present some challenges, such as:
- Constant pressure needs to be maintained to prevent wear.
- Performs poorly at slow speeds or at rest.
- Lubricant leakage may affect operation, especially in liquid type bearings.
Future Development
The development of fluid bearings is still ongoing, and as materials science and manufacturing technology advance, fluid bearings may be expanded into more industrial applications. In the future, these bearings will likely achieve higher technical standards with more efficient and environmentally friendly performance.
So, in a technological world that pursues ultimate efficiency, will fluid bearings become the preferred solution in more areas?
