An infinite stiffness aerostatic pad with a diaphragm valve

This work presents a prototype of a compensated aerostatic pad which consists in the integration of a commercial pad with a custom-built regulating pneumatic valve. The performance of the system is studied both in static and transient conditions. The stability and the capacity of compensation of the protype are proved performing step force tests. Moreover, the paper describes the lumped parameter model of the compensated pad. To take into account the compensating action of the valve, a distinctive numerical procedure was developed. Experimental and numerical results are in good agreement and demonstrate that once a suitable initial set-up is defined, the integrated regulating valve allows bearings with quasi-static infinite stiffness to be obtained.