AEROSTATIC BEARING SPINDLES

摘要

An aerostatic bearing spindle comprising a shaft (2) journalled within an aerostatic bearing (204), the bearing comprising at least one supply port (241) for supplying gas to generate a journal gas film between the shaft and the bearing, wherein the spindle is arranged in such a way as to cause, in use, an unequal pressure profile around the bearing for causing a damping effect to control orbiting of the shaft (2) within the bearing (204) An aerostatic bearing spindle arrangement comprising an aerostatic bearing spindle and an active control system (1001) for controlling at least one of the supply of gas to the journal gas film and exit of gas from the journal gas film to controllably alter the pressure profile around the bearing (104) in use.