Lube-free composite bearings: are they viable?

摘要

Research opportunities are described for three rotor-bearing concepts - graphite ball, air-foil and magnetic. Schematics are presented to illustrate conceptual configurations of each; discipline and institutional research opportunities for each. Discipline opportunities include material science, design, analysis, specialty computer code development, testing techniques, fabrication methods and even marketing potential. Institutional include industry, academia and national laboratory. No relevant references are available. However, the descriptive information is provided for the interested researcher to undertake challenging patentable, or copyrighted research relevant to lube-free rotor-bearing technology.