Abstract: This paper deals with the effects of part’s manufacturing errors on the vortex torque of the externallypressurized gas journal-thrust bearings with slot restrictors by the finite element method. The consistent transform isadopted to program for journal and thrust bearings uniformly. The second-order partial differential equation,Reynolds equation, is reduced by one-order with a weighted residual method in the discretization procedure, whichreleases the requirement of continuity degree of the interpolation function while the finite element method is adopted. The analysis of this paper is centered on the influence of slot film width error and shaft surface roundness erroron the vortex torque. The effects of the installation angle and the eccentricity of the journal on the vortex torque arediscussed also. The predicted characteristics are in good agreement with experimental results. The research resultshave great significance for the design, assembly optimization and performance prediction of gas bearings.

Key words: vortex torque, externally pressurized gas journal thrust bearings, slot restr ictors, manufacturing errors