The Static Performance Analysis of the Foil Bearing Structure

Foil bearings are a variety of slide bearings, in which an extra compliant foil set is applied between journal and bush, in order to improve the selected static and dynamic properties. Bearings of this type are investigated by engineers and researchers from all over the world since many years - both from simulation as well as experimental point of view. Due to the complexity of construction, the reliable simulation models are still being searched for. This paper discusses the most important stages of elaboration of the structural supporting layer of the foil bearing as well as results of verification tests. The main goal of the conducted study was assessment of reliability of the elaborated numerical model, in order to ensure that in future it could play a role of a reliable research tool, which could be used for elaboration of the numerical model of the entire foil bearing.