LAMINAR-FLOW IN HYDROSTATIC CIRCULAR STEP BEARINGS WITH VARIABLE-GAP

Simplified expressions for calculating pressure, load and adiabatic te mperature distributions for laminar flow in hydrostatic circular step bearings have been derived. This derivation takes into account fluid i nertia (convective and rotational) and a variable gap as a function of the radial position. Analytical expressions were calculated for the c ase in which the gap varies linearly, for positive and negative flows. An application to the analysis of the high-pressure seals correspondi ng to the main circulation pumps at the Atucha 1 nuclear power plant i s presented.