The foil structural 2-D thin plate model of bump type air foil thrust bearing was created

finite difference method (FDM) and finite element method (FEM) were coupled together to solve the compressible air Reynolds equation and film thickness equation. The bearing performance such as pressure distribution

film thickness

top foil deformation and power loss were obtained in specific bearing load condition

and the effects of taper height on bearing performance were studied by comparing simulation results with 25

70

100

200

300μm taper heights. The results show that reducing taper height can make pressure distribution more uniform and reduce the concentrated force on top foil. However

with an optimum value

the bearing can maximize the minimum film thickness for the required same load capacity. Also the bearing can realize the lowest power loss

and the bearing efficiency is improved. These results can be treated as a guideline of air foil thrust bearing design.