3. WHAT IS AIR BEARING??
An air bearing is a non-contacting system where a gas film
(typically air) acts as the lubricant that separates the two
surfaces in relative motion.
4. WHY AIR BEARING ??
• FRICTION
Less Friction as compared to rolling and
plain bearing
• WEARIBILITY
Materials used in other bearing eventually gets used up
with time, which requires replacement.
• LUBRICATION
Unlike other bearing ,no lubrication is required.
5. TYPES OF AIR BEARING
There are basically two types of air
bearing:
1)Aerostatic : 2)Aerodynamic:
6. 1. AEROSTATIC BEARING(A-TYPE)
A-type air bearings are a high-lift bearing which,
cause the load to lift vertically away from the floor
surface as much as 3 inches.
These bearings are used when vertical lift is
required before floating the load away.
7. 2. AERODYNAMIC BEARING (B-TYPE)
B-type air bearings cause their loads to lift away
from the floor surface just enough to allow them to
be floated off to the destination.
B-type air bearings when use in series of four or
more are capable of lifting and moving loads of up
to 100 tons and beyond.
8. WORKING
Deflated :
In the deflated stage, the air bearing , it is resting on the
floor with most of the weight being supported by the center load
pad.
Inflated :
The second image shows the air bearing in an inflated
form after it has formed a seal with the floor surface. At this stage,
the load has not been engaged to float away from the floor.
9. WORKING
Load Lifted On Air :
The above image shows the air bearing after it has engaged
and floated the load. Compressed air will then start to escape
from the bearing diaphragm into the area that is being contained
by the floor seal.
The weight of the load causes the compressed air escaping
out of the air bearing to force downward onto the floor surface
thus causing the load to float away from the floor.
13. ADVANTAGES
LOW FRICTION
NO LUBRICATION REQUIRED
LOW HEAT GENERATION
LONG LIFE AND LONG LASTING
MAINTAINANCE FREE
14. DISADVANTAGE
HIGH GEOMETRY ACCURACY DURING
MANUFACTURING.
CLEAN AND DRY SUPPLY OF PRESSURIZED
AIR.
HIGH PRICING.
15. CONCLUSION
By stating the above points we can say that air
bearing is the perfect alternative for carrying and
transporting heavy loads.
16. REFERENCES
[1] Licht L, Elrod H. A study of the stability of
externally pressurized gas bearings.
J Appl Mech 1960:250–8 June.
[2] Bassani R, Ciulli E, Forte P. Pneumatic stability
of the integral aerostatic bearing:comparison with
other types of bearing. Tribol Int 1989;22(No.
6):363–74
December.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_bearing