Abstract
The complicated phenomena such as pressure depressions, shock waves and the negative pressure, are detected in the air flow with a large bearing clearance or high supply pressure in an externally pressurized gas-lubricated circular thrust bearing. The pressure depression, which decreases the bearing load carrying capacity, is an undesirable phenomenon occurring in this gas bearing. The negative load carrying capacity for the non-contacting suspension support of the object utilizing the negative pressure of this gas bearing is investigated experimentally, and is also discussed in this paper.