HomemadeTurbo - DIY Turbo Forum - self lubricating turbo ??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toysrme

air-foil bearing turbo's have been around forever. the major problem is that air foil bearings are not suitable for mass production.

The biggest problem is friction on start-up. They are good for applications where the rotating assembly opperates for a prolonged period of time, Not so good for start-up/shut down like passenger cars (warm-up, go to store for beer, go home, go to school, go to gf's house to pound her brains out, go to court for SPEEDING ticket, go home ect.).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toysrme

air-foil bearing turbo's have been around forever. the major problem is that air foil bearings are not suitable for mass production.

Actually, they are getting cheaper to produce.

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolutezroo

Foil bearings are a neat product. Used in some turbines. I guess that it wouldn't be effective for larger turbos because foil bearings can't support the same axial load as a ball, roller, or journal bearing. They also wear a little on startup until it gets up to speed and creates the air pocket.

The have an EXTREMELY high load carring capacity at ubersonic speeds. More so than plain/ball bearings.

Someone posted a tech thread about them in another section. I'll hunt for it.