MEMS Hydrodynamic Bearings: Applications and Implications to Machine-Failure Prevention

Abstract

Microdynamical systems have been studied for a number of years. Only limited work, however, has been completed on integrating microdynamical components into systems that satisfy mechanical tasks on macroscopic scales. In this paper, we describe microdynamical components that are needed to produce a surface which is actively deformable on local scales. In particular, we consider the design and demonstration of smart journal and thrust bearings capable of using embedded sensors and actuators to dynamically change the surface geometry. The ability to actively deform bearing surfaces allows for the design of bearings which are less prone to failure, the design of bearings with greater load carrying abilities, and a fundamental study of the effect of surface geometries and fluid conditions on bearing performance, such as start-up and shut-down conditions. Results of our new bearing designs are presented, focusing on numerical bearing models, sensor and actuator design and fabrication, and physical experimentation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADP010208

Entities

People

  • Chin S. Chu
  • Dean Nelkirk
  • Ilene Busch-vishniac
  • Kristin L. Wood
  • William Weldon

Organizations

  • University of Texas at Austin

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Actuators
  • Assembly
  • Bearings
  • Chemical Vapor Deposition
  • Clearances
  • Eddy Currents
  • Fabrication
  • Friction
  • Geometric Forms
  • Geometry
  • Manufacturing
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Reliability
  • Steady State

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).