Radial Foil Bearing Structure for Axial Vibration Damping

The intermediate foil is segmented into multiple independent foils (first intermediate foil and second intermediate foil) that can move relative to each other and to the back foil. This segmentation increases the number of friction interfaces and thereby enhances the damping effect while maintaining structural manageability through modular design.

The intermediate foils are given degrees of freedom to move not only radially but also in the axial direction relative to the back foil. This multi-dimensional movement capability creates additional friction-based damping mechanisms beyond simple radial sliding, improving energy dissipation without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

The intermediate foils are designed as dynamic components with controlled degrees of freedom, allowing them to move radially and axially relative to the back foil. This dynamic design ensures that friction-based energy dissipation occurs naturally during operation without requiring precise static alignment, as the movement itself creates the necessary contact and friction conditions.

The system allows the contact parameters between intermediate foils and back foil to change dynamically during operation. The contact area, normal force, and friction coefficient vary as the foils move through different positions and load conditions, enabling effective energy dissipation across a range of operating conditions without requiring fixed precision alignment.