Rotordynamics and Bearing Systems for Microturbines and Turbocharger

Abstract

High-performance microturbines and turbochargers implement gas bearings in compact units of enhanced mechanical reliability. The current work introduces the basics of efficient high speed bearing technology and their application to high speed rotating machinery at extreme operating temperature with tangible and practical concepts. The following topics will be covered in this presentation: 1) an extensive review and basics of gas bearing technologies, 2) fundamental theory/analysis and experimental verification of gas bearing systems, and 3) the integration of gas bearings into high-temperature microturbines and turbocharger rotor-bearing systems. Performance limit of gas bearings is discussed with development case studies for microturbines and turbochargers, as well as turbocompressors.