To deal with the dynamic characteristics of the air-dynamic lubrication foil thrust bearing

a model of rigid-surface bearing was developed. Through numerical simulation

the effect of structural parameters and speed on performance of rigid surface air-dynamic lubrication thrust bearing were studied. Considering the manufacturing difficulties and the results of numerical simulation

a rigid-surface thrust bearing and a bump kind of aerodynamic compliant foil thrust bearing were developed. And a kind of foil metal was successfully used

the punching process and heat treatment were also accomplished. In order to measure the bearing capacity

lift-off speed

and drag torque in the on-off operation

a single-surface experiment rig was set up. It was found that different dynamic displacement responses occurred between the two kinds of bearings at the beginning of lift-off. Meanwhile

the lift-off speed of flexible surface bearing had a ratio of 1/2-2/3 advantage under the same axial load.